Login | Register

The research on endothelial function in women and men at risk for cardiovascular disease (REWARD) study: methodology

Title:

The research on endothelial function in women and men at risk for cardiovascular disease (REWARD) study: methodology

Bacon, Simon L., Lavoie, Kim L., Arsenault, André, Dupuis, Jocelyn, Pilote, Louise, Laurin, Catherine, Gordon, Jennifer, Gautrin, Denyse and Vadeboncoeur, Alain (2011) The research on endothelial function in women and men at risk for cardiovascular disease (REWARD) study: methodology. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 11 (1). p. 50. ISSN 1471-2261

[thumbnail of endolethial_function.pdf]
Preview
Text (application/pdf)
endolethial_function.pdf - Published Version
266kB

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2261-11-50

Abstract

Background
Endothelial function has been shown to be a highly sensitive marker for the overall cardiovascular risk of an individual. Furthermore, there is evidence of important sex differences in endothelial function that may underlie the differential presentation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women relative to men. As such, measuring endothelial function may have sex-specific prognostic value for the prediction of CVD events, thus improving risk stratification for the overall prediction of CVD in both men and women. The primary objective of this study is to assess the clinical utility of the forearm hyperaemic reactivity (FHR) test (a proxy measure of endothelial function) for the prediction of CVD events in men vs. women using a novel, noninvasive nuclear medicine -based approach. It is hypothesised that: 1) endothelial dysfunction will be a significant predictor of 5-year CVD events independent of baseline stress test results, clinical, demographic, and psychological variables in both men and women; and 2) endothelial dysfunction will be a better predictor of 5-year CVD events in women compared to men.

Methods/Design
A total of 1972 patients (812 men and 1160 women) undergoing a dipyridamole stress testing were recruited. Medical history, CVD risk factors, health behaviours, psychological status, and gender identity were assessed via structured interview or self-report questionnaires at baseline. In addition, FHR was assessed, as well as levels of sex hormones via blood draw. Patients will be followed for 5 years to assess major CVD events (cardiac mortality, non-fatal MI, revascularization procedures, and cerebrovascular events).

Discussion
This is the first study to determine the extent and nature of any sex differences in the ability of endothelial function to predict CVD events. We believe the results of this study will provide data that will better inform the choice of diagnostic tests in men and women and bring the quality of risk stratification in women on par with that of men.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Exercise Science
Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Authors:Bacon, Simon L. and Lavoie, Kim L. and Arsenault, André and Dupuis, Jocelyn and Pilote, Louise and Laurin, Catherine and Gordon, Jennifer and Gautrin, Denyse and Vadeboncoeur, Alain
Journal or Publication:BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Date:2011
Funders:
  • Concordia Open Access Author Fund
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):10.1186/1471-2261-11-50
ID Code:974640
Deposited By: ANDREA MURRAY
Deposited On:04 Sep 2012 20:37
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:38
All items in Spectrum are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved. The use of items is governed by Spectrum's terms of access.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads per month over past year

Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
- Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
Back to top Back to top