Table 4 Open in new tab Bone marrow...

	Total	No bone marrow uptake	Bone marrow uptake^b	P-value
Age, years	50.1 (46.7–53.2)	50.1 (46.2–53.2)	50.3 (46.7–53.2)	0.657
Men	322 (80.1)	182 (75.8)	140 (86.4)	0.009
Metabolic syndrome and its components
Metabolic syndrome	38 (9.5)	9 (3.8)	29 (17.9)	<0.001
Central obesity	73 (18.2)	17 (7.1)	56 (34.6)	<0.001
Triglycerides, mg/dL	88 (64–118)	83 (62–115)	97 (71–128)	0.010
HDL-C, mg/dL	48.2 ± 11.4	49.7 ± 11.4	46.1 ± 11.1	0.002
Fasting glucose, mg/dL	89 (84–96)	88 (83–94)	92 (85–98)	<0.001
SBP, mmHg	119.4 ± 11.8	117.7 ± 11.3	121.9 ± 12.1	<0.001
DBP, mmHg	74.6 ± 8.9	72.9 ± 8.4	77.2 ± 9.1	<0.001
Other cardiovascular risk factors
Family history of CV disease	88 (21.9)	50 (20.8)	38 (23.5)	0.533
Current smoking	92 (23.3)	65 (27.4)	27 (17.1)	0.017
Hypertension	72 (17.9)	31 (12.9)	41 (25.3)	0.001
Dyslipidaemia	218 (54.2)	118 (49.2)	100 (61.7)	0.013
Diabetes	18 (4.5)	6 (2.5)	12 (7.4)	0.020
BMI, kg/m²	26.4 ± 3.3	25.1 ± 2.8	28.2 ± 3.1	<0.001
Weight, kg	79.0 ± 13.4	74.0 ± 11.4	86.4 ± 12.8	<0.001
Waist circumference, cm	91.5 ± 10.8	87.4 ± 9.5	97.5 ± 9.7	<0.001
Treatment
Antihypertensive therapy	50 (12.4)	23 (9.6)	27 (16.7)	0.035
Lipid-lowering therapy	59 (14.7)	31 (12.9)	28 (17.3)	0.225
Antidiabetic therapy	15 (3.7)	5 (2.1)	10 (6.2)	0.034
Biochemistry
Total cholesterol, mg/dL	205.6 ± 33.3	206.2 ± 30.9	204.7 ± 36.6	0.646
LDL-C, mg/dL	137.5 ± 30.2	137.7 ± 28.0	137.2 ± 33.2	0.869
HbA1c, %	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	0.404
HOMA-IR, %	1.15 (0.77–1.86)	0.97 (0.67–1.52)	1.54 (0.98–2.23)	<0.001
Insulin, µU/mL	5.1 (3.6–7.2)	4.3 (3.2–6.2)	6.1 (4.3–8.2)	<0.001
Inflammatory markers
hs-CRP, mg/dL	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.07 (0.04–0.08)	0.080
Ferritin, ng/mL^a	107.7 (56.5–197.9)	101.7 (46.2–187.5)	122.8 (70.5–227.4)	0.015
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 h), mm	5 (4–6)	5 (4–6)	5 (2–7)	0.311
Fibrinogen, mg/dL	252.0 (229.4–275.4)	252.5 (229.8–276.1)	250.9 (226.6–275.1)	0.926
P-selectin, ng/mL	131.1 (103.4–162.0)	125.8 (103.2–160.2)	139.3 (103.7–168.0)	0.071
Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, ng/mL	638.3 (512.8–816.6)	620.4 (507.8–788.8)	699.9 (514.4–862.5)	0.113
Blood count
Leucocytes, 10³ cells/µL	5.59 (4.86–6.64)	5.55 (4.83–6.73)	5.63 (4.93–6.47)	0.575
Leucocytosis, (>10.5 × 10³ cells/µL)	2 (0.5)	2 (0.8)	0 (0)	0.244
Red blood cells, 10⁶ cells/µL	4.81 (4.51–5.06)	4.76 (4.46–5.02)	4.90 (4.62–5.15)	0.001
Red cell distribution width, %	14.5 (14.0–15.1)	14.5 (14.0–15.0)	14.6 (14.0–15.2)	0.245
Haemoglobin, g/dL	14.9 (14.0–15.6)	14.8 (13.9–15.5)	15.1 (14.2–15.9)	0.002
Haematocrit, %	43.9 (41.6–46.3)	43.5 (41.1–45.8)	44.5 (42.2–46.9)	0.005
Platelets, 10³ cells/µL	219 (192–255)	224 (196–256)	214 (189–244)	0.074
Segmented neutrophils, 10³ cell/µL	3.10 (2.56–3.80)	3.09 (2.55–3.88)	3.12 (2.59–3.77)	0.839
Lymphocytes, 10³ cells/µL	1.83 (1.54–2.17)	1.82 (1.52–2.18)	1.87 (1.55–2.16)	0.471
Monocytes, 10³ cells/µL	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.47)	0.678
Eosinophils number (1000 cells/µL)	0.12 (0.08–0.19)	0.11 (0.08–0.19)	0.12 (0.07–0.20)	0.547
Eosinophils, 10³ cells/µL	0.04 (0.03–0.06)	0.05 (0.03–0.06)	0.04 (0.02–0.06)	0.094
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio	1.68 (1.37–2.10)	1.71 (1.37–2.13)	1.66 (1.36–2.08)	0.431
SCORE risk score
Low (<1%)	265 (68.6)	165 (70.2)	100 (66.2)	0.410
Intermediate (1–5%)	121 (31.4)	70 (29.8)	51 (33.8)	0.410
High (>5%)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	—
ASCVD risk score
Low	216 (66.9)	139 (69.5)	77 (62.6)	0.201
Intermediate	55 (17.0)	33 (16.5)	22 (17.9)	0.748
High	52 (16.1)	28 (14.0)	24 (19.5)	0.191
Plaques by magnetic resonance
Plaque presence	357 (88.8)	213 (88.8)	144 (88.9)	0.965
Number of plaques	3 (1–5)	3 (1–5)	3 (1–4)	0.708
Global plaque burden	328.7 (162.4–616.0)	321.6 (150.2–604.3)	347.3 (180.2–628.0)	0.647
Arterial uptake (¹⁸F-FDG)
Presence of uptake	159 (39.5)	75 (31.2)	84 (51.9)	<0.001
Number of uptakes	0 (0–1)	0 (0–1)	1 (0–2)	<0.001
SUVmax arterial uptake	1.33 (1.23–1.45)	1.28 (1.18–1.37)	1.44 (1.32–1.54)	<0.001

Total

No bone marrow uptake

Bone marrow uptake^b

P-value

(n = 402)

CRP < median

(n = 240)

(n = 162)

Age, years

50.1 (46.7–53.2)

50.1 (46.2–53.2)

50.3 (46.7–53.2)

0.657

Men

322 (80.1)

182 (75.8)

140 (86.4)

0.009

Metabolic syndrome and its components

Metabolic syndrome

38 (9.5)

9 (3.8)

29 (17.9)

<0.001

Central obesity

73 (18.2)

17 (7.1)

56 (34.6)

<0.001

Triglycerides, mg/dL

88 (64–118)

83 (62–115)

97 (71–128)

0.010

HDL-C, mg/dL

48.2 ± 11.4

49.7 ± 11.4

46.1 ± 11.1

0.002

Fasting glucose, mg/dL

89 (84–96)

88 (83–94)

92 (85–98)

<0.001

SBP, mmHg

119.4 ± 11.8

117.7 ± 11.3

121.9 ± 12.1

<0.001

DBP, mmHg

74.6 ± 8.9

72.9 ± 8.4

77.2 ± 9.1

<0.001

Other cardiovascular risk factors

Family history of CV disease

88 (21.9)

50 (20.8)

38 (23.5)

0.533

Current smoking

92 (23.3)

65 (27.4)

27 (17.1)

0.017

Hypertension

72 (17.9)

31 (12.9)

41 (25.3)

0.001

Dyslipidaemia

218 (54.2)

118 (49.2)

100 (61.7)

0.013

Diabetes

18 (4.5)

6 (2.5)

12 (7.4)

0.020

BMI, kg/m²

26.4 ± 3.3

25.1 ± 2.8

28.2 ± 3.1

<0.001

Weight, kg

79.0 ± 13.4

74.0 ± 11.4

86.4 ± 12.8

<0.001

Waist circumference, cm

91.5 ± 10.8

87.4 ± 9.5

97.5 ± 9.7

<0.001

Treatment

Antihypertensive therapy

50 (12.4)

23 (9.6)

27 (16.7)

0.035

Lipid-lowering therapy

59 (14.7)

31 (12.9)

28 (17.3)

0.225

Antidiabetic therapy

15 (3.7)

5 (2.1)

10 (6.2)

0.034

Biochemistry

Total cholesterol, mg/dL

205.6 ± 33.3

206.2 ± 30.9

204.7 ± 36.6

0.646

LDL-C, mg/dL

137.5 ± 30.2

137.7 ± 28.0

137.2 ± 33.2

0.869

HbA1c, %

5.4 (5.2–5.7)

0.404

HOMA-IR, %

1.15 (0.77–1.86)

0.97 (0.67–1.52)

1.54 (0.98–2.23)

<0.001

Insulin, µU/mL

5.1 (3.6–7.2)

4.3 (3.2–6.2)

6.1 (4.3–8.2)

<0.001

Inflammatory markers

hs-CRP, mg/dL

0.06 (0.04–0.08)

0.07 (0.04–0.08)

0.080

Ferritin, ng/mL^a

107.7 (56.5–197.9)

101.7 (46.2–187.5)

122.8 (70.5–227.4)

0.015

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 h), mm

5 (4–6)

5 (2–7)

0.311

Fibrinogen, mg/dL

252.0 (229.4–275.4)

252.5 (229.8–276.1)

250.9 (226.6–275.1)

0.926

P-selectin, ng/mL

131.1 (103.4–162.0)

125.8 (103.2–160.2)

139.3 (103.7–168.0)

0.071

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, ng/mL

638.3 (512.8–816.6)

620.4 (507.8–788.8)

699.9 (514.4–862.5)

0.113

Blood count

Leucocytes, 10³ cells/µL

5.59 (4.86–6.64)

5.55 (4.83–6.73)

5.63 (4.93–6.47)

0.575

Leucocytosis, (>10.5 × 10³ cells/µL)

2 (0.5)

2 (0.8)

0 (0)

0.244

Red blood cells, 10⁶ cells/µL

4.81 (4.51–5.06)

4.76 (4.46–5.02)

4.90 (4.62–5.15)

0.001

Red cell distribution width, %

14.5 (14.0–15.1)

14.5 (14.0–15.0)

14.6 (14.0–15.2)

0.245

Haemoglobin, g/dL

14.9 (14.0–15.6)

14.8 (13.9–15.5)

15.1 (14.2–15.9)

0.002

Haematocrit, %

43.9 (41.6–46.3)

43.5 (41.1–45.8)

44.5 (42.2–46.9)

0.005

Platelets, 10³ cells/µL

219 (192–255)

224 (196–256)

214 (189–244)

0.074

Segmented neutrophils, 10³ cell/µL

3.10 (2.56–3.80)

3.09 (2.55–3.88)

3.12 (2.59–3.77)

0.839

Lymphocytes, 10³ cells/µL

1.83 (1.54–2.17)

1.82 (1.52–2.18)

1.87 (1.55–2.16)

0.471

Monocytes, 10³ cells/µL

0.39 (0.33–0.48)

0.39 (0.33–0.47)

0.678

Eosinophils number (1000 cells/µL)

0.12 (0.08–0.19)

0.11 (0.08–0.19)

0.12 (0.07–0.20)

0.547

Eosinophils, 10³ cells/µL

0.04 (0.03–0.06)

0.05 (0.03–0.06)

0.04 (0.02–0.06)

0.094

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio

1.68 (1.37–2.10)

1.71 (1.37–2.13)

1.66 (1.36–2.08)

0.431

SCORE risk score

Low (<1%)

265 (68.6)

165 (70.2)

100 (66.2)

0.410

Intermediate (1–5%)

121 (31.4)

70 (29.8)

51 (33.8)

0.410

High (>5%)

0 (0.0)

—

ASCVD risk score

Low

216 (66.9)

139 (69.5)

77 (62.6)

0.201

Intermediate

55 (17.0)

33 (16.5)

22 (17.9)

0.748

High

52 (16.1)

28 (14.0)

24 (19.5)

0.191

Plaques by magnetic resonance

Plaque presence

357 (88.8)

213 (88.8)

144 (88.9)

0.965

Number of plaques

3 (1–5)

3 (1–4)

0.708

Global plaque burden

328.7 (162.4–616.0)

321.6 (150.2–604.3)

347.3 (180.2–628.0)

0.647

Arterial uptake (¹⁸F-FDG)

Presence of uptake

159 (39.5)

75 (31.2)

84 (51.9)

<0.001

Number of uptakes

0 (0–1)

1 (0–2)

<0.001

SUVmax arterial uptake

1.33 (1.23–1.45)

1.28 (1.18–1.37)

1.44 (1.32–1.54)

<0.001

	Total	No bone marrow uptake	Bone marrow uptake^b	P-value
Age, years	50.1 (46.7–53.2)	50.1 (46.2–53.2)	50.3 (46.7–53.2)	0.657
Men	322 (80.1)	182 (75.8)	140 (86.4)	0.009
Metabolic syndrome and its components
Metabolic syndrome	38 (9.5)	9 (3.8)	29 (17.9)	<0.001
Central obesity	73 (18.2)	17 (7.1)	56 (34.6)	<0.001
Triglycerides, mg/dL	88 (64–118)	83 (62–115)	97 (71–128)	0.010
HDL-C, mg/dL	48.2 ± 11.4	49.7 ± 11.4	46.1 ± 11.1	0.002
Fasting glucose, mg/dL	89 (84–96)	88 (83–94)	92 (85–98)	<0.001
SBP, mmHg	119.4 ± 11.8	117.7 ± 11.3	121.9 ± 12.1	<0.001
DBP, mmHg	74.6 ± 8.9	72.9 ± 8.4	77.2 ± 9.1	<0.001
Other cardiovascular risk factors
Family history of CV disease	88 (21.9)	50 (20.8)	38 (23.5)	0.533
Current smoking	92 (23.3)	65 (27.4)	27 (17.1)	0.017
Hypertension	72 (17.9)	31 (12.9)	41 (25.3)	0.001
Dyslipidaemia	218 (54.2)	118 (49.2)	100 (61.7)	0.013
Diabetes	18 (4.5)	6 (2.5)	12 (7.4)	0.020
BMI, kg/m²	26.4 ± 3.3	25.1 ± 2.8	28.2 ± 3.1	<0.001
Weight, kg	79.0 ± 13.4	74.0 ± 11.4	86.4 ± 12.8	<0.001
Waist circumference, cm	91.5 ± 10.8	87.4 ± 9.5	97.5 ± 9.7	<0.001
Treatment
Antihypertensive therapy	50 (12.4)	23 (9.6)	27 (16.7)	0.035
Lipid-lowering therapy	59 (14.7)	31 (12.9)	28 (17.3)	0.225
Antidiabetic therapy	15 (3.7)	5 (2.1)	10 (6.2)	0.034
Biochemistry
Total cholesterol, mg/dL	205.6 ± 33.3	206.2 ± 30.9	204.7 ± 36.6	0.646
LDL-C, mg/dL	137.5 ± 30.2	137.7 ± 28.0	137.2 ± 33.2	0.869
HbA1c, %	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	0.404
HOMA-IR, %	1.15 (0.77–1.86)	0.97 (0.67–1.52)	1.54 (0.98–2.23)	<0.001
Insulin, µU/mL	5.1 (3.6–7.2)	4.3 (3.2–6.2)	6.1 (4.3–8.2)	<0.001
Inflammatory markers
hs-CRP, mg/dL	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.07 (0.04–0.08)	0.080
Ferritin, ng/mL^a	107.7 (56.5–197.9)	101.7 (46.2–187.5)	122.8 (70.5–227.4)	0.015
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 h), mm	5 (4–6)	5 (4–6)	5 (2–7)	0.311
Fibrinogen, mg/dL	252.0 (229.4–275.4)	252.5 (229.8–276.1)	250.9 (226.6–275.1)	0.926
P-selectin, ng/mL	131.1 (103.4–162.0)	125.8 (103.2–160.2)	139.3 (103.7–168.0)	0.071
Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, ng/mL	638.3 (512.8–816.6)	620.4 (507.8–788.8)	699.9 (514.4–862.5)	0.113
Blood count
Leucocytes, 10³ cells/µL	5.59 (4.86–6.64)	5.55 (4.83–6.73)	5.63 (4.93–6.47)	0.575
Leucocytosis, (>10.5 × 10³ cells/µL)	2 (0.5)	2 (0.8)	0 (0)	0.244
Red blood cells, 10⁶ cells/µL	4.81 (4.51–5.06)	4.76 (4.46–5.02)	4.90 (4.62–5.15)	0.001
Red cell distribution width, %	14.5 (14.0–15.1)	14.5 (14.0–15.0)	14.6 (14.0–15.2)	0.245
Haemoglobin, g/dL	14.9 (14.0–15.6)	14.8 (13.9–15.5)	15.1 (14.2–15.9)	0.002
Haematocrit, %	43.9 (41.6–46.3)	43.5 (41.1–45.8)	44.5 (42.2–46.9)	0.005
Platelets, 10³ cells/µL	219 (192–255)	224 (196–256)	214 (189–244)	0.074
Segmented neutrophils, 10³ cell/µL	3.10 (2.56–3.80)	3.09 (2.55–3.88)	3.12 (2.59–3.77)	0.839
Lymphocytes, 10³ cells/µL	1.83 (1.54–2.17)	1.82 (1.52–2.18)	1.87 (1.55–2.16)	0.471
Monocytes, 10³ cells/µL	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.47)	0.678
Eosinophils number (1000 cells/µL)	0.12 (0.08–0.19)	0.11 (0.08–0.19)	0.12 (0.07–0.20)	0.547
Eosinophils, 10³ cells/µL	0.04 (0.03–0.06)	0.05 (0.03–0.06)	0.04 (0.02–0.06)	0.094
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio	1.68 (1.37–2.10)	1.71 (1.37–2.13)	1.66 (1.36–2.08)	0.431
SCORE risk score
Low (<1%)	265 (68.6)	165 (70.2)	100 (66.2)	0.410
Intermediate (1–5%)	121 (31.4)	70 (29.8)	51 (33.8)	0.410
High (>5%)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	—
ASCVD risk score
Low	216 (66.9)	139 (69.5)	77 (62.6)	0.201
Intermediate	55 (17.0)	33 (16.5)	22 (17.9)	0.748
High	52 (16.1)	28 (14.0)	24 (19.5)	0.191
Plaques by magnetic resonance
Plaque presence	357 (88.8)	213 (88.8)	144 (88.9)	0.965
Number of plaques	3 (1–5)	3 (1–5)	3 (1–4)	0.708
Global plaque burden	328.7 (162.4–616.0)	321.6 (150.2–604.3)	347.3 (180.2–628.0)	0.647
Arterial uptake (¹⁸F-FDG)
Presence of uptake	159 (39.5)	75 (31.2)	84 (51.9)	<0.001
Number of uptakes	0 (0–1)	0 (0–1)	1 (0–2)	<0.001
SUVmax arterial uptake	1.33 (1.23–1.45)	1.28 (1.18–1.37)	1.44 (1.32–1.54)	<0.001

Total

No bone marrow uptake

Bone marrow uptake^b

P-value

(n = 402)

CRP < median

(n = 240)

(n = 162)

Age, years

50.1 (46.7–53.2)

50.1 (46.2–53.2)

50.3 (46.7–53.2)

0.657

Men

322 (80.1)

182 (75.8)

140 (86.4)

0.009

Metabolic syndrome and its components

Metabolic syndrome

38 (9.5)

9 (3.8)

29 (17.9)

<0.001

Central obesity

73 (18.2)

17 (7.1)

56 (34.6)

<0.001

Triglycerides, mg/dL

88 (64–118)

83 (62–115)

97 (71–128)

0.010

HDL-C, mg/dL

48.2 ± 11.4

49.7 ± 11.4

46.1 ± 11.1

0.002

Fasting glucose, mg/dL

89 (84–96)

88 (83–94)

92 (85–98)

<0.001

SBP, mmHg

119.4 ± 11.8

117.7 ± 11.3

121.9 ± 12.1

<0.001

DBP, mmHg

74.6 ± 8.9

72.9 ± 8.4

77.2 ± 9.1

<0.001

Other cardiovascular risk factors

Family history of CV disease

88 (21.9)

50 (20.8)

38 (23.5)

0.533

Current smoking

92 (23.3)

65 (27.4)

27 (17.1)

0.017

Hypertension

72 (17.9)

31 (12.9)

41 (25.3)

0.001

Dyslipidaemia

218 (54.2)

118 (49.2)

100 (61.7)

0.013

Diabetes

18 (4.5)

6 (2.5)

12 (7.4)

0.020

BMI, kg/m²

26.4 ± 3.3

25.1 ± 2.8

28.2 ± 3.1

<0.001

Weight, kg

79.0 ± 13.4

74.0 ± 11.4

86.4 ± 12.8

<0.001

Waist circumference, cm

91.5 ± 10.8

87.4 ± 9.5

97.5 ± 9.7

<0.001

Treatment

Antihypertensive therapy

50 (12.4)

23 (9.6)

27 (16.7)

0.035

Lipid-lowering therapy

59 (14.7)

31 (12.9)

28 (17.3)

0.225

Antidiabetic therapy

15 (3.7)

5 (2.1)

10 (6.2)

0.034

Biochemistry

Total cholesterol, mg/dL

205.6 ± 33.3

206.2 ± 30.9

204.7 ± 36.6

0.646

LDL-C, mg/dL

137.5 ± 30.2

137.7 ± 28.0

137.2 ± 33.2

0.869

HbA1c, %

5.4 (5.2–5.7)

0.404

HOMA-IR, %

1.15 (0.77–1.86)

0.97 (0.67–1.52)

1.54 (0.98–2.23)

<0.001

Insulin, µU/mL

5.1 (3.6–7.2)

4.3 (3.2–6.2)

6.1 (4.3–8.2)

<0.001

Inflammatory markers

hs-CRP, mg/dL

0.06 (0.04–0.08)

0.07 (0.04–0.08)

0.080

Ferritin, ng/mL^a

107.7 (56.5–197.9)

101.7 (46.2–187.5)

122.8 (70.5–227.4)

0.015

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 h), mm

5 (4–6)

5 (2–7)

0.311

Fibrinogen, mg/dL

252.0 (229.4–275.4)

252.5 (229.8–276.1)

250.9 (226.6–275.1)

0.926

P-selectin, ng/mL

131.1 (103.4–162.0)

125.8 (103.2–160.2)

139.3 (103.7–168.0)

0.071

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, ng/mL

638.3 (512.8–816.6)

620.4 (507.8–788.8)

699.9 (514.4–862.5)

0.113

Blood count

Leucocytes, 10³ cells/µL

5.59 (4.86–6.64)

5.55 (4.83–6.73)

5.63 (4.93–6.47)

0.575

Leucocytosis, (>10.5 × 10³ cells/µL)

2 (0.5)

2 (0.8)

0 (0)

0.244

Red blood cells, 10⁶ cells/µL

4.81 (4.51–5.06)

4.76 (4.46–5.02)

4.90 (4.62–5.15)

0.001

Red cell distribution width, %

14.5 (14.0–15.1)

14.5 (14.0–15.0)

14.6 (14.0–15.2)

0.245

Haemoglobin, g/dL

14.9 (14.0–15.6)

14.8 (13.9–15.5)

15.1 (14.2–15.9)

0.002

Haematocrit, %

43.9 (41.6–46.3)

43.5 (41.1–45.8)

44.5 (42.2–46.9)

0.005

Platelets, 10³ cells/µL

219 (192–255)

224 (196–256)

214 (189–244)

0.074

Segmented neutrophils, 10³ cell/µL

3.10 (2.56–3.80)

3.09 (2.55–3.88)

3.12 (2.59–3.77)

0.839

Lymphocytes, 10³ cells/µL

1.83 (1.54–2.17)

1.82 (1.52–2.18)

1.87 (1.55–2.16)

0.471

Monocytes, 10³ cells/µL

0.39 (0.33–0.48)

0.39 (0.33–0.47)

0.678

Eosinophils number (1000 cells/µL)

0.12 (0.08–0.19)

0.11 (0.08–0.19)

0.12 (0.07–0.20)

0.547

Eosinophils, 10³ cells/µL

0.04 (0.03–0.06)

0.05 (0.03–0.06)

0.04 (0.02–0.06)

0.094

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio

1.68 (1.37–2.10)

1.71 (1.37–2.13)

1.66 (1.36–2.08)

0.431

SCORE risk score

Low (<1%)

265 (68.6)

165 (70.2)

100 (66.2)

0.410

Intermediate (1–5%)

121 (31.4)

70 (29.8)

51 (33.8)

0.410

High (>5%)

0 (0.0)

—

ASCVD risk score

Low

216 (66.9)

139 (69.5)

77 (62.6)

0.201

Intermediate

55 (17.0)

33 (16.5)

22 (17.9)

0.748

High

52 (16.1)

28 (14.0)

24 (19.5)

0.191

Plaques by magnetic resonance

Plaque presence

357 (88.8)

213 (88.8)

144 (88.9)

0.965

Number of plaques

3 (1–5)

3 (1–4)

0.708

Global plaque burden

328.7 (162.4–616.0)

321.6 (150.2–604.3)

347.3 (180.2–628.0)

0.647

Arterial uptake (¹⁸F-FDG)

Presence of uptake

159 (39.5)

75 (31.2)

84 (51.9)

<0.001

Number of uptakes

0 (0–1)

1 (0–2)

<0.001

SUVmax arterial uptake

1.33 (1.23–1.45)

1.28 (1.18–1.37)

1.44 (1.32–1.54)

<0.001

Table 4

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Bone marrow activation in the subpopulation without systemic inflammation (below-median high-sensitivity C-reactive protein)

	Total	No bone marrow uptake	Bone marrow uptake^b	P-value
	(n = 402)	CRP < median	CRP < median
		(n = 240)	(n = 162)
Age, years	50.1 (46.7–53.2)	50.1 (46.2–53.2)	50.3 (46.7–53.2)	0.657
Men	322 (80.1)	182 (75.8)	140 (86.4)	0.009
Metabolic syndrome and its components
Metabolic syndrome	38 (9.5)	9 (3.8)	29 (17.9)	<0.001
Central obesity	73 (18.2)	17 (7.1)	56 (34.6)	<0.001
Triglycerides, mg/dL	88 (64–118)	83 (62–115)	97 (71–128)	0.010
HDL-C, mg/dL	48.2 ± 11.4	49.7 ± 11.4	46.1 ± 11.1	0.002
Fasting glucose, mg/dL	89 (84–96)	88 (83–94)	92 (85–98)	<0.001
SBP, mmHg	119.4 ± 11.8	117.7 ± 11.3	121.9 ± 12.1	<0.001
DBP, mmHg	74.6 ± 8.9	72.9 ± 8.4	77.2 ± 9.1	<0.001
Other cardiovascular risk factors
Family history of CV disease	88 (21.9)	50 (20.8)	38 (23.5)	0.533
Current smoking	92 (23.3)	65 (27.4)	27 (17.1)	0.017
Hypertension	72 (17.9)	31 (12.9)	41 (25.3)	0.001
Dyslipidaemia	218 (54.2)	118 (49.2)	100 (61.7)	0.013
Diabetes	18 (4.5)	6 (2.5)	12 (7.4)	0.020
BMI, kg/m²	26.4 ± 3.3	25.1 ± 2.8	28.2 ± 3.1	<0.001
Weight, kg	79.0 ± 13.4	74.0 ± 11.4	86.4 ± 12.8	<0.001
Waist circumference, cm	91.5 ± 10.8	87.4 ± 9.5	97.5 ± 9.7	<0.001
Treatment
Antihypertensive therapy	50 (12.4)	23 (9.6)	27 (16.7)	0.035
Lipid-lowering therapy	59 (14.7)	31 (12.9)	28 (17.3)	0.225
Antidiabetic therapy	15 (3.7)	5 (2.1)	10 (6.2)	0.034
Biochemistry
Total cholesterol, mg/dL	205.6 ± 33.3	206.2 ± 30.9	204.7 ± 36.6	0.646
LDL-C, mg/dL	137.5 ± 30.2	137.7 ± 28.0	137.2 ± 33.2	0.869
HbA1c, %	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	0.404
HOMA-IR, %	1.15 (0.77–1.86)	0.97 (0.67–1.52)	1.54 (0.98–2.23)	<0.001
Insulin, µU/mL	5.1 (3.6–7.2)	4.3 (3.2–6.2)	6.1 (4.3–8.2)	<0.001
Inflammatory markers
hs-CRP, mg/dL	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.07 (0.04–0.08)	0.080
Ferritin, ng/mL^a	107.7 (56.5–197.9)	101.7 (46.2–187.5)	122.8 (70.5–227.4)	0.015
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 h), mm	5 (4–6)	5 (4–6)	5 (2–7)	0.311
Fibrinogen, mg/dL	252.0 (229.4–275.4)	252.5 (229.8–276.1)	250.9 (226.6–275.1)	0.926
P-selectin, ng/mL	131.1 (103.4–162.0)	125.8 (103.2–160.2)	139.3 (103.7–168.0)	0.071
Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, ng/mL	638.3 (512.8–816.6)	620.4 (507.8–788.8)	699.9 (514.4–862.5)	0.113
Blood count
Leucocytes, 10³ cells/µL	5.59 (4.86–6.64)	5.55 (4.83–6.73)	5.63 (4.93–6.47)	0.575
Leucocytosis, (>10.5 × 10³ cells/µL)	2 (0.5)	2 (0.8)	0 (0)	0.244
Red blood cells, 10⁶ cells/µL	4.81 (4.51–5.06)	4.76 (4.46–5.02)	4.90 (4.62–5.15)	0.001
Red cell distribution width, %	14.5 (14.0–15.1)	14.5 (14.0–15.0)	14.6 (14.0–15.2)	0.245
Haemoglobin, g/dL	14.9 (14.0–15.6)	14.8 (13.9–15.5)	15.1 (14.2–15.9)	0.002
Haematocrit, %	43.9 (41.6–46.3)	43.5 (41.1–45.8)	44.5 (42.2–46.9)	0.005
Platelets, 10³ cells/µL	219 (192–255)	224 (196–256)	214 (189–244)	0.074
Segmented neutrophils, 10³ cell/µL	3.10 (2.56–3.80)	3.09 (2.55–3.88)	3.12 (2.59–3.77)	0.839
Lymphocytes, 10³ cells/µL	1.83 (1.54–2.17)	1.82 (1.52–2.18)	1.87 (1.55–2.16)	0.471
Monocytes, 10³ cells/µL	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.47)	0.678
Eosinophils number (1000 cells/µL)	0.12 (0.08–0.19)	0.11 (0.08–0.19)	0.12 (0.07–0.20)	0.547
Eosinophils, 10³ cells/µL	0.04 (0.03–0.06)	0.05 (0.03–0.06)	0.04 (0.02–0.06)	0.094
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio	1.68 (1.37–2.10)	1.71 (1.37–2.13)	1.66 (1.36–2.08)	0.431
SCORE risk score
Low (<1%)	265 (68.6)	165 (70.2)	100 (66.2)	0.410
Intermediate (1–5%)	121 (31.4)	70 (29.8)	51 (33.8)	0.410
High (>5%)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	—
ASCVD risk score
Low	216 (66.9)	139 (69.5)	77 (62.6)	0.201
Intermediate	55 (17.0)	33 (16.5)	22 (17.9)	0.748
High	52 (16.1)	28 (14.0)	24 (19.5)	0.191
Plaques by magnetic resonance
Plaque presence	357 (88.8)	213 (88.8)	144 (88.9)	0.965
Number of plaques	3 (1–5)	3 (1–5)	3 (1–4)	0.708
Global plaque burden	328.7 (162.4–616.0)	321.6 (150.2–604.3)	347.3 (180.2–628.0)	0.647
Arterial uptake (¹⁸F-FDG)
Presence of uptake	159 (39.5)	75 (31.2)	84 (51.9)	<0.001
Number of uptakes	0 (0–1)	0 (0–1)	1 (0–2)	<0.001
SUVmax arterial uptake	1.33 (1.23–1.45)	1.28 (1.18–1.37)	1.44 (1.32–1.54)	<0.001

	Total	No bone marrow uptake	Bone marrow uptake^b	P-value
	(n = 402)	CRP < median	CRP < median
		(n = 240)	(n = 162)
Age, years	50.1 (46.7–53.2)	50.1 (46.2–53.2)	50.3 (46.7–53.2)	0.657
Men	322 (80.1)	182 (75.8)	140 (86.4)	0.009
Metabolic syndrome and its components
Metabolic syndrome	38 (9.5)	9 (3.8)	29 (17.9)	<0.001
Central obesity	73 (18.2)	17 (7.1)	56 (34.6)	<0.001
Triglycerides, mg/dL	88 (64–118)	83 (62–115)	97 (71–128)	0.010
HDL-C, mg/dL	48.2 ± 11.4	49.7 ± 11.4	46.1 ± 11.1	0.002
Fasting glucose, mg/dL	89 (84–96)	88 (83–94)	92 (85–98)	<0.001
SBP, mmHg	119.4 ± 11.8	117.7 ± 11.3	121.9 ± 12.1	<0.001
DBP, mmHg	74.6 ± 8.9	72.9 ± 8.4	77.2 ± 9.1	<0.001
Other cardiovascular risk factors
Family history of CV disease	88 (21.9)	50 (20.8)	38 (23.5)	0.533
Current smoking	92 (23.3)	65 (27.4)	27 (17.1)	0.017
Hypertension	72 (17.9)	31 (12.9)	41 (25.3)	0.001
Dyslipidaemia	218 (54.2)	118 (49.2)	100 (61.7)	0.013
Diabetes	18 (4.5)	6 (2.5)	12 (7.4)	0.020
BMI, kg/m²	26.4 ± 3.3	25.1 ± 2.8	28.2 ± 3.1	<0.001
Weight, kg	79.0 ± 13.4	74.0 ± 11.4	86.4 ± 12.8	<0.001
Waist circumference, cm	91.5 ± 10.8	87.4 ± 9.5	97.5 ± 9.7	<0.001
Treatment
Antihypertensive therapy	50 (12.4)	23 (9.6)	27 (16.7)	0.035
Lipid-lowering therapy	59 (14.7)	31 (12.9)	28 (17.3)	0.225
Antidiabetic therapy	15 (3.7)	5 (2.1)	10 (6.2)	0.034
Biochemistry
Total cholesterol, mg/dL	205.6 ± 33.3	206.2 ± 30.9	204.7 ± 36.6	0.646
LDL-C, mg/dL	137.5 ± 30.2	137.7 ± 28.0	137.2 ± 33.2	0.869
HbA1c, %	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	5.4 (5.2–5.7)	0.404
HOMA-IR, %	1.15 (0.77–1.86)	0.97 (0.67–1.52)	1.54 (0.98–2.23)	<0.001
Insulin, µU/mL	5.1 (3.6–7.2)	4.3 (3.2–6.2)	6.1 (4.3–8.2)	<0.001
Inflammatory markers
hs-CRP, mg/dL	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.06 (0.04–0.08)	0.07 (0.04–0.08)	0.080
Ferritin, ng/mL^a	107.7 (56.5–197.9)	101.7 (46.2–187.5)	122.8 (70.5–227.4)	0.015
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 h), mm	5 (4–6)	5 (4–6)	5 (2–7)	0.311
Fibrinogen, mg/dL	252.0 (229.4–275.4)	252.5 (229.8–276.1)	250.9 (226.6–275.1)	0.926
P-selectin, ng/mL	131.1 (103.4–162.0)	125.8 (103.2–160.2)	139.3 (103.7–168.0)	0.071
Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, ng/mL	638.3 (512.8–816.6)	620.4 (507.8–788.8)	699.9 (514.4–862.5)	0.113
Blood count
Leucocytes, 10³ cells/µL	5.59 (4.86–6.64)	5.55 (4.83–6.73)	5.63 (4.93–6.47)	0.575
Leucocytosis, (>10.5 × 10³ cells/µL)	2 (0.5)	2 (0.8)	0 (0)	0.244
Red blood cells, 10⁶ cells/µL	4.81 (4.51–5.06)	4.76 (4.46–5.02)	4.90 (4.62–5.15)	0.001
Red cell distribution width, %	14.5 (14.0–15.1)	14.5 (14.0–15.0)	14.6 (14.0–15.2)	0.245
Haemoglobin, g/dL	14.9 (14.0–15.6)	14.8 (13.9–15.5)	15.1 (14.2–15.9)	0.002
Haematocrit, %	43.9 (41.6–46.3)	43.5 (41.1–45.8)	44.5 (42.2–46.9)	0.005
Platelets, 10³ cells/µL	219 (192–255)	224 (196–256)	214 (189–244)	0.074
Segmented neutrophils, 10³ cell/µL	3.10 (2.56–3.80)	3.09 (2.55–3.88)	3.12 (2.59–3.77)	0.839
Lymphocytes, 10³ cells/µL	1.83 (1.54–2.17)	1.82 (1.52–2.18)	1.87 (1.55–2.16)	0.471
Monocytes, 10³ cells/µL	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.48)	0.39 (0.33–0.47)	0.678
Eosinophils number (1000 cells/µL)	0.12 (0.08–0.19)	0.11 (0.08–0.19)	0.12 (0.07–0.20)	0.547
Eosinophils, 10³ cells/µL	0.04 (0.03–0.06)	0.05 (0.03–0.06)	0.04 (0.02–0.06)	0.094
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio	1.68 (1.37–2.10)	1.71 (1.37–2.13)	1.66 (1.36–2.08)	0.431
SCORE risk score
Low (<1%)	265 (68.6)	165 (70.2)	100 (66.2)	0.410
Intermediate (1–5%)	121 (31.4)	70 (29.8)	51 (33.8)	0.410
High (>5%)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	—
ASCVD risk score
Low	216 (66.9)	139 (69.5)	77 (62.6)	0.201
Intermediate	55 (17.0)	33 (16.5)	22 (17.9)	0.748
High	52 (16.1)	28 (14.0)	24 (19.5)	0.191
Plaques by magnetic resonance
Plaque presence	357 (88.8)	213 (88.8)	144 (88.9)	0.965
Number of plaques	3 (1–5)	3 (1–5)	3 (1–4)	0.708
Global plaque burden	328.7 (162.4–616.0)	321.6 (150.2–604.3)	347.3 (180.2–628.0)	0.647
Arterial uptake (¹⁸F-FDG)
Presence of uptake	159 (39.5)	75 (31.2)	84 (51.9)	<0.001
Number of uptakes	0 (0–1)	0 (0–1)	1 (0–2)	<0.001
SUVmax arterial uptake	1.33 (1.23–1.45)	1.28 (1.18–1.37)	1.44 (1.32–1.54)	<0.001

Data are presented as n (%) or median (Q1–Q3).

Measured in 622 of 745 individuals.

Bone marrow activation was defined when the mean BM SUVmax was above the median value (SUVmax 1.9).

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