A cross sectional study comparing traditional risk factors with N-terminal pro-BNP in high risk groups for cardiovascular disease in Trinidad, West Indies

Abstract

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been well-elaborated. In recent years, the use of biomarkers has emerged for identifying individuals at high risk with the aim of earlier identification and risk mitigation. Among the most promising non-traditional markers are BNP and NT-proBNP. This study aims to compare whether serum NT-proBNP co-segregates with traditional cardiovascular risk factors in elderly type 2 diabetic and non diabetic in a population with high prevalence of CVD. MethodsThis study utilized a cross sectional design. Blood samples collected were analyzed for hs-CRP, total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, insulin, and NT-proBNP. ResultsMean serum NT-proBNP levels were significantly elevated in diabetics (X=125.5±49.7) compared to non diabetics (X=64.3±34.6). In diabetics, NT-proBNP demonstrated statistically significant spearman's coefficients with respect to systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, hs-CRP, fasting glucose and insulin. Among non diabetics there was no relationship between NT-proBNP, blood pressure and insulin. Multivariate logistic regression revealed relation between diabetics; elevated NT-proBNP, blood pressure, triglyceride, CRP, fasting glucose and plasma insulin compared with non diabetics where NT-proBNP showed significant relation only to diastolic blood pressure. Diabetics showed significant correlation with elevated NT-proBNP and traditional risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and elevated hs-CRP) as compared with non diabetics. ConclusionsNT-proBNP co-segregates with traditional risk factors for CVD among elderly diabetics and may be a useful additional screening test for those at risk for CVD.