Introduction. There is limited knowledge about factors associated with the development of
aortic stenosis. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of aortic
sclerosis or
stenosis in 71-years-old men and determine which risk factors at 50 years of age predict the development of aortic
sclerosis or
aortic stenosis. Methods. A random sample of Swedish men from the general population, born in 1943 (n = 798) were followed for 21 years. Data on clinical characteristics and laboratory values were collected in 1993. An echocardiography was performed in 2014. We used logistic regression to examine the association between baseline data and the outcome. Results. Echocardiography was performed in 535 men, and aortic
sclerosis or
aortic stenosis was diagnosed in 27 (5.0%). 14 persons developed
aortic stenosis (2.6%). Among men with aortic
sclerosis or
aortic stenosis, 29.6% were obese. In multivariable stepwise regression model, body mass index (odds ratio per unit increase 1.23 (95% CI 1.10-1.38; p = .0003)) and
hypercholesterolemia, combined with high sensitive
C-reactive protein (odds ratio versus all other 2.66 (1.18-6.00; p = .019)) were significantly associated with increased risk of developing aortic
sclerosis or
aortic stenosis. Body mass index was the only factor significantly associated with a higher risk of developing
aortic stenosis. Conclusion. The prevalence of either aortic
sclerosis or
aortic stenosis was 5% and of
aortic stenosis 2.6%.
Obesity and
hypercholesterolemia combined with elevated high sensitive
C-reactive protein at the age of 50 predicted the development of degenerative aortic
sclerosis or
stenosis, whilst only
obesity was correlated with the occurrence of
aortic stenosis.