Abstract 10334: Vital Exhaustion and Cardiac Biomarkers - The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Abstract

Introduction: Vital exhaustion (VE), defined as excessive fatigue and demoralization due to chronic stress, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the mechanism is unclear. We examined the association of VE with biomarkers of cardiac injury, neurohormonal stress and inflammation in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Methods: Symptoms of VE were measured at ARIC visit 2 (1990-92, n= 11,588, mean age 57) using the Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire (MVEQ). We analyzed the association of VE with cardiac biomarkers [High-sensitivity troponin T (Hs-TnT), N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP)] levels in adults without known CVD. Symptoms of VE (MVEQ scores) were categorized into quartiles. Elevated biomarker levels were defined as Hs-TnT ≥ 13 ng/L, NT-proBNP ≥ 125 pg/mL, and hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L. Logistic regression models adjusted for demographics and comorbidities were used to test for associations. The associations of VE (MVEQ score ≥16), elevated biomarkers, or both with incident CVD events after 6-year follow up was assessed by Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: Compared with the lowest quartile of VE (MVEQ ≤ 4), the highest quartile of VE (MVEQ 16-42), in adjusted models, was associated with elevated Hs-TnT, NT-proBNP, and hs-CRP [Odds Ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.75 (1.34-2.29, p<0.01), 1.40 (1.19-1.64, p<0.01), and 1.14 (1.01-1.28, p<0.01), respectively]. The highest quartile of VE was associated with increased risk of CVD events. The risk was increased further in the setting of both significant VE (MVEQ ≥16) and elevated biomarkers (Table). Conclusions: Symptoms of VE are associated with elevated Hs-TnT, NT-proBNP, and Hs-CRP independent of traditional CVD risk factors. The presence of VE and elevated cardiac biomarkers is associated with high risk of incident CVD events in adults without CVD.