Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional study

Abstract Background Gut microbes are important for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and the dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM), a new measure of gut flora-friendly diets, has not been systematically investigated in relation to ASCVD. Objective This study aimed...

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Main Authors: Meiqi Miao, Shigang Qiao, Wen Pan, Zhaochen Xia, Wei Li, Chanchan Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Nutrition Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01141-5
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author Meiqi Miao
Shigang Qiao
Wen Pan
Zhaochen Xia
Wei Li
Chanchan Lin
author_facet Meiqi Miao
Shigang Qiao
Wen Pan
Zhaochen Xia
Wei Li
Chanchan Lin
author_sort Meiqi Miao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Gut microbes are important for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and the dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM), a new measure of gut flora-friendly diets, has not been systematically investigated in relation to ASCVD. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between DI-GM and the risk of ASCVD in American older adults, also to analyze the mediating role of body mass index (BMI). Methods Researchers selected 2234 elderly participants ≥ 65 years of age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2018 for a cross-sectional cohort study. Stratified analyses were taken based on DI-GM quartile. To achieve our research objectives, we employed logistic regression analysis, smooth curve fitting, interaction effects analysis, and mediation analysis. Results After adjusting for confounders, individuals with higher DI-GM had a significantly lower risk of ASCVD (highest quartile vs. lowest quartile OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.52–1.01, P < 0.001). DI-GM was linearly negatively associated with ASCVD (P = 0.13) and the association was stable in the diabetes subgroup (interaction P > 0.05), but age, gender and BMI may modify the association between DI-GM and ASCVD (interaction P < 0.05). BMI mediated 11.51% of the association between DI-GM and ASCVD (95% CI: 2.54%-54.1%, P = 0.016). Conclusion DI-GM is likely to be a promising indicator for the assessment of the risk of ASCVD, with BMI exhibiting a partial mediating effect in this association. Future studies should prioritize a comprehensive investigation of the underlying mechanisms by which DI-GM contributes to atherogenesis, with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of early prevention strategies for ASCVD.
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spelling doaj-art-a9214e82bd3d4fe68f8fc43b87aa883f2025-08-20T02:32:07ZengBMCNutrition Journal1475-28912025-05-0124111310.1186/s12937-025-01141-5Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional studyMeiqi Miao0Shigang Qiao1Wen Pan2Zhaochen Xia3Wei Li4Chanchan Lin5Department of Cardiology, Kunshan Hospital of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Anesthesiology, Kunshan Hospital of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Cardiology, Kunshan Hospital of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Cardiology, Kunshan Hospital of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Center Laboratory, Kunshan Hospital of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Gastroenterology, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical UniversityAbstract Background Gut microbes are important for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and the dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM), a new measure of gut flora-friendly diets, has not been systematically investigated in relation to ASCVD. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between DI-GM and the risk of ASCVD in American older adults, also to analyze the mediating role of body mass index (BMI). Methods Researchers selected 2234 elderly participants ≥ 65 years of age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2018 for a cross-sectional cohort study. Stratified analyses were taken based on DI-GM quartile. To achieve our research objectives, we employed logistic regression analysis, smooth curve fitting, interaction effects analysis, and mediation analysis. Results After adjusting for confounders, individuals with higher DI-GM had a significantly lower risk of ASCVD (highest quartile vs. lowest quartile OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.52–1.01, P < 0.001). DI-GM was linearly negatively associated with ASCVD (P = 0.13) and the association was stable in the diabetes subgroup (interaction P > 0.05), but age, gender and BMI may modify the association between DI-GM and ASCVD (interaction P < 0.05). BMI mediated 11.51% of the association between DI-GM and ASCVD (95% CI: 2.54%-54.1%, P = 0.016). Conclusion DI-GM is likely to be a promising indicator for the assessment of the risk of ASCVD, with BMI exhibiting a partial mediating effect in this association. Future studies should prioritize a comprehensive investigation of the underlying mechanisms by which DI-GM contributes to atherogenesis, with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of early prevention strategies for ASCVD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01141-5Dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM)Body mass index (BMI)Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)Cohort analysisNational health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES)
spellingShingle Meiqi Miao
Shigang Qiao
Wen Pan
Zhaochen Xia
Wei Li
Chanchan Lin
Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional study
Nutrition Journal
Dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM)
Body mass index (BMI)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)
Cohort analysis
National health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES)
title Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional study
title_full Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional study
title_fullStr Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional study
title_short Association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among US elderly adults: a cross‑sectional study
title_sort association between the dietary index for gut microbiota and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among us elderly adults a cross sectional study
topic Dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM)
Body mass index (BMI)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)
Cohort analysis
National health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES)
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01141-5
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