Macrovascular disease in a Japanese–Brazilian population of high prevalence of metabolic syndrome: Associations with classical and non-classical risk factors

Background The Japanese–Brazilian Diabetes Study detected high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a population of Japanese ancestry living in Brazil. We describe the prevalence of macrovascular disease (MVD) and its association with classical and non-classical cardiovascular risk factors in this population. Methods An overall of 1163 individuals were studied; diagnosis of MVD was based on a score obtained from medical history, ankle-brachial pressure index and electrocardiogram, defining three groups: no MVD, possible MVD and definite MVD. Results Prevalence of MVD was 14.3% (possible MVD: 11.2%; definite MVD: 3.1%). Individuals with MS had higher rates of MVD (16.9% versus 11.2%; p < 0.05). Comparing to no MVD, age, 2 h plasma glucose, anti-LDL(+) and anti-LDL(−) levels, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio were higher in both categories with MVD; waist-to-hip ratio, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio and triglycerides were higher in that with definite MVD; systolic blood pressure and homocysteine were higher in that with possible MVD. Using logistic regression, systolic blood pressure, smoking habit and anti-LDL(+) were independently associated with MVD. Conclusion MVD is highly prevalent in Japanese–Brazilians and its association with MS was confirmed. A novel marker of lipoprotein modifications – anti-LDL(+) antibody – could be useful in identifying individuals at higher risk.