Determinants of plasma interleukin-6 levels among survivors  of myocardial infarction.
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.
Picciotto
Sally
S
aLocal Health Authority, Department of Epidemiology ASL RME, Rome, Italy.
Forastiere
Francesco
F
Pistelli
Riccardo
R
Koenig
Wolfgang
W
Lanki
Timo
T
Ljungman
Petter
P
Pitsavos
Christos
C
Ruckerl
Regina
R
Sunyer
Jordi
J
Peters
Annette
A
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
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