Obesity predicts subclinical myocardial injury in men and women of all ages: the Nord-Trondelag Health Study. (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lyngbakken, M.N; Rosjo, H; Hveem, K; Omland, T
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 41:(2020)Supplement 2
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: Prevention - Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Biomarkers; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.2935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-668X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Obesity strongly associates with subclinical myocardial injury as quantified by concentrations of cardiac troponin. Body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used index of obesity, but BMI does not take into account the different phenotypes that arise on the basis of age, sex and body composition. We aimed to investigate the influence of these factors on the association of obesity with subclinical myocardial injury. Methods: We analyzed total body fat and fat-free mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with a high-sensitivity assay in 30, 778 participants of the prospective observational The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study at study visit 4 (2017–2019). All subjects were free from known cardiovascular disease at baseline, and we excluded subjects with BMI <18.5 kg/m 2 . Subgroup analyses were performed according to sex and age (<45 years, 45–59 years, ≥60 years). Adjustment was made for established cardiovascular risk factors and indices of body composition. Results: Median age was 52.1 (range 16.5 to 98.9) years and 56% were women. Concentrations of cTnI were detectable in 60.6% of study participants, and were median 1.5 (0.6 to 2.9) ng/L. Median BMI was 26.7 (24.0 to 29.9) kg/m 2 . There was a strong and linear association between BMI and cTnI in adjusted models, with a 37.3 (95% CI, 27.6 to 46.9) % increase in concentrations of cTnI per 10 units of BMI (Figure 1). When adjusting for body composition, strong associations were observed for both sexes. The association between BMI and cTnI was stronger with increasing age (Table 1). Conclusion: Obesity is strongly associated with subclinical myocardial injury. The associations are stronger with increasing age and persisted after adjustment for body composition, suggesting a harmful effect of obesity on the myocardium independently of different obesity phenotypes. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority