Kai M Eggers1, Bertil Lindahl2, Per Venge3, Lars Lind4. 1. Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: kai.eggers@ucr.uu.se. 2. Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Uppsala Clinical Research Centre, Uppsala University, SE-752 37 Uppsala, Sweden. 3. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. 4. Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Measurement of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) might be useful for monitoring of cardiovascular disease in the elderly. However, it is not clear whether changes in these biomarkers are associated with changes in the cardiovascular risk profile and if this pattern could be modified by changes in lifestyle habits or medications. METHODS: We measured levels of NT-proBNP and cTnI in community-dwelling subjects (PIVUS study) upon visits scheduled at age 70 (n=1007), 75 (n=825) and 80 (n=602). The associations of these biomarkers with repeated measurements of clinical variables (risk factors, lifestyle habits, echocardiographic data and medications) were investigated using sex-adjusted linear mixed random effect models. RESULTS: NT-proBNP and cTnI were positively associated with increasing age. NT-proBNP, but not cTnI, was affected by changes of renal function and the degree of obesity. NT-proBNP was more closely related than cTnI to changes in echocardiographic estimates of cardiac geometry and function. Biomarker levels and/or their changes were inversely associated with a physically more active lifestyle (both NT-proBNP and cTnI) and statin treatment at age 70 (only cTnI). Changes in smoking status or antihypertensive treatment had no effect on biomarker levels. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in NT-proBNP and cTnI levels are associated with different patterns of cardiovascular disease burden when using a longitudinal approach. However, levels of both biomarkers and their changes also reflect changes in the cardiovascular risk profile that might be modifiable. This is an important aspect for the use of any cardiovascular biomarker in an elderly population.
BACKGROUND: Measurement of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) might be useful for monitoring of cardiovascular disease in the elderly. However, it is not clear whether changes in these biomarkers are associated with changes in the cardiovascular risk profile and if this pattern could be modified by changes in lifestyle habits or medications. METHODS: We measured levels of NT-proBNP and cTnI in community-dwelling subjects (PIVUS study) upon visits scheduled at age 70 (n=1007), 75 (n=825) and 80 (n=602). The associations of these biomarkers with repeated measurements of clinical variables (risk factors, lifestyle habits, echocardiographic data and medications) were investigated using sex-adjusted linear mixed random effect models. RESULTS: NT-proBNP and cTnI were positively associated with increasing age. NT-proBNP, but not cTnI, was affected by changes of renal function and the degree of obesity. NT-proBNP was more closely related than cTnI to changes in echocardiographic estimates of cardiac geometry and function. Biomarker levels and/or their changes were inversely associated with a physically more active lifestyle (both NT-proBNP and cTnI) and statin treatment at age 70 (only cTnI). Changes in smoking status or antihypertensive treatment had no effect on biomarker levels. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in NT-proBNP and cTnI levels are associated with different patterns of cardiovascular disease burden when using a longitudinal approach. However, levels of both biomarkers and their changes also reflect changes in the cardiovascular risk profile that might be modifiable. This is an important aspect for the use of any cardiovascular biomarker in an elderly population.