title: Serum total bilirubin concentration is inversely correlated with Framingham risk score in Koreans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compelling evidence suggests that bilirubin, via its antioxidant potential, has anti-atherogenic properties, and that serum bilirubin concentrations within the reference range for the general population may provide some protection against coronary artery disease (CAD). This study examined the association between serum total bilirubin concentration and Framingham risk score (FRS) in the Korean population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was performed on 19,792 Koreans. In addition to FRS, data on body mass index, fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, lipid profile, uric acid, gamma glutamyltransferase, high-sensitive C-reactive protein and total bilirubin were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negative correlations were established between log-transformed total bilirubin concentration and FRS (females; r = -0.067, p <0.001, males; r = -0.128, p <0.001). Analyses relating total bilirubin to FRS ≥10% utilized multiple confounder adjusted logistic regression. Unadjusted odd ratios for FRS ≥10% were 0.325 (95% CI: 0.160-0.659, p = 0.002) and 0.342 (95% CI: 0.281-0.417, p <0.001) for log-transformed total bilirubin in females and males, respectively. These inverse relationships remained significant after adjustments for multiple confounders in both genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased total bilirubin concentrations are associated with the decrease in FRS. Serum total bilirubin may be helpful to decrease the future risk of CAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bom-Taeck
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sat-Byul
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Doo-Yeoun
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sang Hyeon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Je
authors.forename: Kyu-Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012016:Reference Values; D012306:Risk; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D014527:Uric Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001663:Bilirubin