Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Arterial stiffness, which is estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, there is sparse literature on socioeconomic (SES) indicators and PWV. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, evidence was r...

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Main Authors: Galatia Photiou, Panayiotis Kouis, Zoi Papasavva, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, Nicos Middleton, Andrie G. Panayiotou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23094-4
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author Galatia Photiou
Panayiotis Kouis
Zoi Papasavva
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos
Nicos Middleton
Andrie G. Panayiotou
author_facet Galatia Photiou
Panayiotis Kouis
Zoi Papasavva
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos
Nicos Middleton
Andrie G. Panayiotou
author_sort Galatia Photiou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Arterial stiffness, which is estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, there is sparse literature on socioeconomic (SES) indicators and PWV. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, evidence was retrieved from cross-sectional and cohort studies on the association of SES indicators (both single and composite) with arterial stiffness. A total of 16,331 records were reviewed and 9 studies included. Results Low educational level was associated with an increase of 0.26 m/s in PWV (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.37; p < 0.001; I2 = 78.2%), whereas low SES was associated with a 0.32 m/s increase of PWV (95%CI: 0.09 to 0.56, p = 0.008, I2 = 93.6%). Conclusion Results underscore the importance of socioeconomic position as a determinant of arterial stiffness. Future studies could benefit from longitudinal designs and more homogeneous SES measures, as well as considering composite indicators of SES like neighborhood/area environment and characteristics, along with individual indicators.
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spelling doaj-art-497f025795154cd98d4ad88db918e9cc2025-08-20T03:16:41ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-05-0125111810.1186/s12889-025-23094-4Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysisGalatia Photiou0Panayiotis Kouis1Zoi Papasavva2Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos3Nicos Middleton4Andrie G. Panayiotou5Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of TechnologyCardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of TechnologyCardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of TechnologyDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio UniversityDepartment of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of TechnologyCardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of TechnologyAbstract Background Arterial stiffness, which is estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, there is sparse literature on socioeconomic (SES) indicators and PWV. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, evidence was retrieved from cross-sectional and cohort studies on the association of SES indicators (both single and composite) with arterial stiffness. A total of 16,331 records were reviewed and 9 studies included. Results Low educational level was associated with an increase of 0.26 m/s in PWV (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.37; p < 0.001; I2 = 78.2%), whereas low SES was associated with a 0.32 m/s increase of PWV (95%CI: 0.09 to 0.56, p = 0.008, I2 = 93.6%). Conclusion Results underscore the importance of socioeconomic position as a determinant of arterial stiffness. Future studies could benefit from longitudinal designs and more homogeneous SES measures, as well as considering composite indicators of SES like neighborhood/area environment and characteristics, along with individual indicators.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23094-4Arterial stiffnessPulse wave velocity, socioeconomic statusSocioeconomic indicatorsEducationIncome
spellingShingle Galatia Photiou
Panayiotis Kouis
Zoi Papasavva
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos
Nicos Middleton
Andrie G. Panayiotou
Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BMC Public Health
Arterial stiffness
Pulse wave velocity, socioeconomic status
Socioeconomic indicators
Education
Income
title Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity pwv measurements in population studies a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Arterial stiffness
Pulse wave velocity, socioeconomic status
Socioeconomic indicators
Education
Income
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23094-4
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