Impaired endothelial function in adolescents with overweight or obesity measured by peripheral artery tonometry.

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity in adolescents are associated with a subsequent increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The reactive hyperemia-peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) is a non-invasive method for endothelial function assessment.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is to investigate endothelial function as assessed with the RH-PAT in adolescents with overweight or obesity.

METHODS

In 27 adolescents with overweight or obesity (16 males, 11 females) and 25 control subjects (12 males, 13 females) (age 12-20 yr) RH-PAT score and baseline pulse amplitude were measured after an overnight fast. Confounding risk factors for endothelial dysfunction, including smoking and diabetes mellitus were excluded.

RESULTS

RH-PAT score was lower in adolescents with overweight or obesity compared to healthy controls, whereas their baseline pulse amplitude was higher (p = 0.027 and p < 0.0001, respectively). A significantly positive correlation was seen between baseline pulse amplitude and body mass index standard deviation score in the group with overweight or obese subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial dysfunction, measured by lower RH-PAT score and higher baseline pulse amplitude, was present in overweight adolescents. Interestingly, we also report for the first time in the literature a significant difference in baseline pulse amplitude between overweight adolescents compared to their peers.