Table 1. Characteristics of the study population at baseline in relation to CAC progression (N = 466).
| Variable | No progression (N = 288) | CAC progression* (N = 178) | p-value |
| Age (yrs) | 62.3±5.3 | 63.3±5.9 | 0.046 |
| Men (%) | 135 (46.9) | 118(66.3) | <0.001 |
| Highest work grade (%) | 116 (40.3) | 73 (41.0) | 0.88 |
| Current smokers (%) | 11 (3.8) | 14 (7.9) | 0.06 |
| Resting systolic BP (mmHg) | 121.3±16.5 | 126.8±15.7 | <0.001 |
| HDL cholesterol (mmol/l) | 1.74±0.48 | 1.62±0.44 | 0.01 |
| LDL cholesterol (mmol/l) | 3.89±0.96 | 3.94±0.91 | 0.56 |
| C-reactive protein (mg/l) | 1.59±2.07 | 1.60±2.07 | 0.94 |
| Fibrinogen (g/l) | 3.08±0.59 | 3.26±0.62 | 0.002 |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 25.7±4.2 | 26.1±3.6 | 0.29 |
| HbA1c (%) | 5.46±0.39 | 5.44±0.38 | 0.62 |
| Pre-stress cortisol (mmol/l) | 6.58±4.29 | 6.52±4.81 | 0.88 |
| Statins use (%) | 21 (7.3) | 22 (12.4) | 0.07 |
| Mean follow up (days) | 1081±81 | 1104±74 | 0.003 |
*CAC progression defined as an increase >10 Agatston units between baseline and follow up.
Values are means ± SD.