SAGE Score in Normotensive and Pre-Hypertensive Patients: A Proof of Concept

Abstract Background The SAGE score was developed to detect individuals at risk for increased pulse wave velocity (PWV). So far, studies have been focused on hypertensive patients. Objective To assess the ability of the score to detect non-hypertensive and pre-hypertensive patients at risk for increased PWV. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study of analysis of central blood pressure data and calculation of the SAGE score of non-hypertensive and pre-hypertensive patients. Each score point was analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, using the cut-off point for positive diagnosis a PVW ≥ 10m/s, ≥9.08 m/s (75thpercentile) and ≥7.30 m/s (50thpercentile). A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The sample was composed of 100 normotensive and pre-hypertensive individuals, with mean age of 52.64 ± 14.94 years and median PWV of 7.30 m/s (6.03 – 9.08). The SAGE score was correlated with age (r=0.938, p<0.001), glycemia (r=0.366, p<0.001) and glomerular filtration rate (r=-0.658, p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.968 (p<0.001) for PWV ≥ 10 m/s, 0.977 (p<0.001) for PWV ≥ 9.08 m/s and 0.967 (p<0.001) for PWV ≥ 7.30 m/s. The score 7 showed a specificity of 95.40% and sensitivity of 100% for PWV≥10 m/s. The cut-off point would be of five for a PWV≥9.08 m/s (sensitivity =96.00%, specificity = 94.70%), and two for a PWV ≥ 7.30 m/s. Conclusion The SAGE score could identify individuals at higher risk of arterial stiffness, using different PWV cutoff points. However, the development of a specific score for normotensive and pre-hypertensive subjects is needed.