TABLE 1.
Clinical characteristics of control and patient cohorts
| Variables | Controls | Patients with atherosclerosis | p‐Value | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort characteristics | ||||
| n (%) | 10 | 10 | N/A | N/A |
| Sex | 1 ♂/9 ♀ | 5 ♂/5 ♀ | .1409 | ns |
| Age (years) | 59.6 ± 4.88 | 75.1 ± 4.84 | .0002 | *** |
| Body temperature (°C) | 36.5 ± 0.25 | 36.45 ± 0.35 | >.999 | ns |
| Anthropometrics | ||||
| Weight (kg) | 63.87 ± 5.35 | 77.7 ± 17.93 | .0342 | * |
| Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) | 22.34 ± 1.64 | 25.8 ± 4.90 | .0686 | ns |
| Height (cm) | 169.3 ± 6.20 | 173.1 ± 7.72 | .3840 | ns |
| Waist circumference (cm) | 79.9 ± 5.77 | 101.8 ± 15.62 | .0028 | ** |
| Waist‐to‐height ratio (%) | 0.47 ± 0.04 | 0.59 ± 0.09 | .0032 | ** |
| Sagittal height (cm) | 16.67 ± 2.07 | 23.35 ± 4.29 | .0013 | ** |
| Surgical indication | ||||
| Aneurism indication with concomitant atherosclerosis (n, %) | N/A | 0/10 (0%) | N/A | N/A |
| Aortoiliac disease (n, %) | N/A | 1/10 (10%) | N/A | N/A |
| Critical limb ischemia (n, %) | N/A | 3/10 (30%) | N/A | N/A |
| Claudication (n, %) | N/A | 6/10 (60%) | N/A | N/A |
| Risk factors cardiovascular disease | ||||
| Diagnosed hypertension (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 8/10 (80%) | .0007 | *** |
| Diagnosed diabetes (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 1/10 (10%) | >.999 | ns |
| High low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐Cholesterol (n, %) | 1/10 (10%) | 0/10 (0%) | >.999 | ns |
| Low high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐Cholesterol (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 5/10 (50%) | .0325 | * |
| Hyperlipidemia (n, %) | 1/10 (10%) | 9/10 (90%) | .0011 | ** |
| Aorta iliac atherosclerosis (n, %) | N/A | 6/10 (60%) | N/A | N/A |
| Peripheral atherosclerosis (n, %) | N/A | 10/10 (100%) | N/A | N/A |
| Additional diagnosed medical conditions | ||||
| Gastrointestinal disease (n, %) | 0/9 a (0%) | 3/10 (30%) | .2105 | ns |
| Skin conditions (n, %) | 1/9 a (11.11%) | 2/10 (20%) | >.999 | ns |
| Lifestyle factors | ||||
| Alcohol use (n, %) | 8/9 a (88.89%) | 5/10 (50%) | .1409 | ns |
| Diet including red meat (n, %) | 9/9 a (100%) | 10/10 (100%) | >.999 | ns |
| Tobacco use present (n, %) | 1/9 a (11.11%) | 1/10 (10%) | >.999 | ns |
| Tobacco use past (n, %) | 1/9 a (11.11%) | 10/10 (100%) | .0001 | *** |
| Clinical measurements | ||||
| Blood pressure | ||||
| Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 75.4 ± 10.13 | 77.4 ± 11.63 | .7910 | ns |
| Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 126.9 ± 19.30 | 151 ± 12.63 | .0040 | ** |
| Pulse (beats/min) | 65.4 ± 7.56 | 70.4 ± 14.01 | .2720 | ns |
| Inflammation | ||||
| C‐reactive protein (mg/L) | 1.13 ± 1.14 | 3.42 ± 3.05 | .0445 | * |
| White blood cell count (10⁹/L) | 4.79 ± 0.97 | 7.06 ± 2.04 | .0188 | * |
| Liver function enzymes | ||||
| AST (µkat/L) | 0.4 ± 0.06 | 0.49 ± 0.25 | .9090 | ns |
| ALT (µkat/L) | 0.34 ± 0.11 | 0.43 ± 0.27 | .8200 | ns |
| ALP (µkat/L) | 1.18 ± 0.27 | 1.84 ± 0.92 | .0615 | ns |
| GGT (µkat/L) | 0.34 ± 0.22 | 1.29 ± 1.35 | .0586 | ns |
| Metabolic analytes | ||||
| Fasting glucose, mmol/L | 5.38 ± 0.44 | 6.09 ± 1.20 | .2270 | ns |
| HbA1C (mmol/mol) | 38 ± 2.31 | 40.7 ± 6.22 | .4030 | ns |
| Insulin (mIE/L) | 4.59 ± 1.52 | 12.88 ± 8.20 | .0017 | ** |
| HOMA %S (insulin sensitivity) | 188.89 ± 43.99 | 100.54 ± 56.95 | .0093 | ** |
| HOMA %B (pancreatic function) | 54.84 ± 12.37 | 74.72 ± 19.46 | .0673 | ns |
| HOMA‐IR (insulin resistance) | 0.56 ± 0.16 | 1.36 ± 0.81 | .0081 | ** |
| Blood lipids | ||||
| Cholesterol (mmol/L) | 6.15 ± 0.74 | 3.52 ± 0.69 | .0002 | *** |
| LDL cholesterol (mmol/L) | 4.22 ± 0.85 | 1.87 ± 0.61 | .0003 | *** |
| HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) | 1.82 ± 0.51 | 1.33 ± 0.39 | .0401 | * |
| Triglycerides (mmol/L) | 1.01 ± 0.26 | 1.27 ± 0.59 | .4950 | ns |
| Platelet number and coagulation | ||||
| Platelet count (10⁹/L) | 270.5 ± 38.39 | 246.5 ± 73.71 | .3070 | ns |
| APTT (sec) | 26.1 ± 1.37 | 28.4 ± 3.53 | .1030 | ns |
| PCC (INR) | 1.02 ± 0.11 | 1.05 ± 0.10 | .3830 | ns |
| Blood proteins | ||||
| Albumin (g/L) | 39.4 ± 2.17 | 36.78 ± 0.97 | .0034 | ** |
| Medications | ||||
| Anti‐coagulant (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 3/10 (30%) | .2105 | ns |
| Anti‐hypertensive (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 9/10 (90%) | .0001 | *** |
| Anti‐inflammatory (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 3/10 (30%) | .2105 | ns |
| Diabetes (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 2/10 (20%) | .4737 | ns |
| Immunosuppressive (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 0/10 (0%) | >.999 | ns |
| Lipid lowering (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 8/10 (80%) | .0007 | *** |
| Platelet inhibitor (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 10/10 (100%) | <.0001 | **** |
| Other (n, %) | 3/10 (30%) | 9/10 (90%) | .0198 | * |
| Specialized pro‐resolving mediator‐related medications | ||||
| Low‐dose aspirin (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 9/10 (90%) | .0001 | *** |
| Statins (n, %) | 0/10 (0%) | 9/10 (90%) | .0001 | *** |
Data are presented as mean ± SD. p‐Values for continuous variables were calculated using Mann–Whitney U. p‐Values for categorical variables were calculated using Fisher's exact test.
Abbreviations: ALT, alanine transaminase; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; APTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; AST, aspartate transaminase; HOMA, homeostatic model assessment; GGT, gamma‐glutamyltransferase; PCC, prothrombin complex concentrate.
a
One participant declined to answer lifestyle questions and diagnosed medical conditions.