Association Between Metabolic Syndrome Components and Vascular Structure and Function in Subjects with a Diagnosis of Long COVID: The BioICOPER Study

TL;DR

This study finds that metabolic syndrome components are linked to worse vascular health in people with long COVID.

Contribution

The study is novel in exploring how metabolic syndrome components specifically affect vascular structure and function in long COVID patients.

Findings

Vascular measures like carotid intima–media thickness are positively associated with the number of metabolic syndrome components.

Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity is positively linked to all metabolic syndrome components and inversely to HDL-cholesterol.

Cardio–ankle vascular index is inversely associated with waist circumference.

Abstract

Background: Long COVID is characterised by persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and its impact on cardiovascular health is a growing concern. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the presence and severity of metabolic syndrome and vascular structural and functional in patients with long COVID. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 304 adults diagnosed with long COVID. Vascular health was assessed using carotid intima–media thickness to evaluate arterial structure, and pulse wave velocity to assess arterial stiffness. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to international criteria. Multiple regression models were performed to analyse the association between the number of metabolic syndrome components and vascular parameters, adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle and pharmacological treatments. Results: All vascular measures show a positive association with artery pressure. All measures except cardio–ankle vascular index were positively associated with the number of metabolic syndrome components. Carotid intima–media thickness, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity and vascular ageing index were positively associated with waist circumference. Brachial–ankle pulse wave was positively associated with all metabolic syndrome components and showed an inverse association with HDL-cholesterol. Cardio–ankle vascular index was inversely associated with waist circumference. Conclusions: In conclusion, among adults with long COVID, metabolic syndrome and the accumulation of its components are associated with poorer vascular structure, function, and vascular ageing.

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