Description

The DEpICT study was a cross-sectional population study with
participants being aged older than 40 years old, having Greek as a first language
(to ensure fluency in Greek for the self-administered questionnaires) and living in
the same neighborhood in Limassol for at least the previous five years. Individual
arterial stiffness was measured as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV),
with arterial age being additionally estimated, using plethysmography. Further
individual-level data includes self-reported information on quality of life (SF-12),
physical activity (IPAQ), adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet Score)
and general health and well-being (GHQ-12). Area-level characteristics and social
gradient were assessed using both census-based composite indices addressing
‘‘socioeconomic disadvantage’’ (SED) and “demographic and built
environment’’(DBE), as well as self-reported assessments of participant’s
neighborhoods using the Place Standard Tool (PST) addressing area-level
dimensions such as mobility, public spaces, and social connections. Statistical
analysis included mixed methods with both quantitative statistics (multiple
adjusted regression models) and qualitative thematic analysis of the participant’s
open comments in the PST. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata BE
(version 18, StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) and excel (Microsoft v.2502).
The study adhered to STROBE guidelines and was approved by the Cyprus
National Bioethics Committee (Record number: ΕΕΒΚ ΕΠ 2018_02).