Changes in Composite Cardiovascular Risk Scores from Childhood to Adulthood and Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Adulthood: A Systematic Review.
Moges Agazhe Assemie, Kelcie Miller, Seana Gall et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review synthesised population-based longitudinal studies examining how composite cardiovascular risk scores change from childhood to adulthood and relate to adult cardiometabolic outcomes. Eleven studies from nine cohorts in four countries met the criteria. Across varied score definitions and trajectory methods, improving cardiovascular health was associated with lower risk of adverse vascular and cardiac outcomes, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular events. Persistently high-risk or worsening trajectories were associated with greater adult cardiometabolic risk; resolution was associated with outcomes similar to consistently low risk, except for type 2 diabetes. The abstract reports no pooled quantitative effect estimate.
Key findings
- The review included 11 studies representing nine cohorts from four countries.
- Improving continuous composite scores were associated with lower risk of adverse vascular and cardiac outcomes, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular events.
- Persistently high-risk and worsening trajectories were associated with higher adult cardiometabolic risk than consistently low-risk trajectories.
- Resolution was associated with outcomes similar to consistently low risk, except for type 2 diabetes.
Why it matters
The findings support viewing cardiovascular risk as a life-course pattern rather than a fixed childhood profile. They suggest that worsening or sustained high-risk combinations may identify people with greater adult cardiometabolic risk, while improvement may accompany more favourable outcomes. This perspective can inform research and risk assessment across the transition from childhood to adulthood, although the review does not establish causal effects.
What to keep in mind
The evidence base comprised 11 studies with varied composite score definitions and trajectory-modelling approaches, limiting direct comparability; the abstract reports associations rather than causal effects.