title: Determinants of plasma interleukin-6 levels among survivors  of myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We identify determinants of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in a multicenter panel study of myocardial infarction (MI) survivors, using repeated measurements to evaluate both baseline and time-varying factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survivors of MI (N= 1003) recruited in six European cities had repeated measurements (median: 6/patient) of IL-6. At baseline, participants' behaviour and medical histories were determined by interview, and blood pressure, anthropometry, cholesterol and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured. Short-term exposures and medication intake were recorded at each visit. Generalized additive mixed models were used to analyze associations of IL-6 with baseline and time-varying risk factors, taking into account repeated measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, hour of blood withdrawal, body mass index, pack-years of smoking, NT-proBNP, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, persistent cough/phlegm and statin use were significantly and independently associated with IL-6 after adjustment for city, recurrent MI, baseline alcohol intake, current active smoking, tea consumption and extreme anger or stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among MI survivors, IL-6 levels are associated with many traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with elevated NT-proBNP, respiratory symptoms or obesity had higher IL-6 concentrations and may potentially be at greater risk for coronary artery disease progression.
authors.affiliation: aLocal Health Authority, Department of Epidemiology ASL RME, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Picciotto
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forastiere
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pistelli
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lanki
authors.forename: Petter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ljungman
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitsavos
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruckerl
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunyer
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain