The Linear Association Between A Body Shape Index and Abdominal Aortic Calcification in Individuals With Hypertension

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in individuals with hypertension. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from 1486 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The relationship between ABSI and AAC was evaluated through logistic regression, subgroup analyses, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessment, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) modeling. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression revealed that each standard deviation increase in ABSI corresponded to a 16.2% elevated AAC risk (OR = 1.162, 95% CI: 1.025-1.318, p = 0.019). Compared with the lowest quartile (Q1), individuals in Q3 and Q4 had significantly higher risks of AAC, with ORs of 1.554 (95% CI: 1.096-2.204, p = 0.013) and 1.503 (95% CI: 1.047-2.157, p = 0.027), respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed a robust association between ABSI and AAC that was consistently observed across strata. ROC curve analysis revealed that ABSI provided moderate discriminative ability for AAC detection in the overall cohort (AUC = 0.625, 95% CI: 0.596-0.654, p < 0.001), males (AUC = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.589-0.675, p < 0.001), and females (AUC = 0.627, 95% CI: 0.588-0.666, p < 0.001). RCS analysis, in both unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted models, RCS analysis confirmed a dose-dependent positive relationship between ABSI and AAC risk (P for nonlinearity > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher ABSI levels show a significant, independent association with increased AAC risk in hypertensive patients, suggesting potential clinical value as a indicator for early vascular calcification detection in this population.