Suche

Interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein are associated with cardiovascular mortality risk

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-025-02625-4

Stephanie Wissel (Würzburg)1, H. Scharnagl (Graz)2, M. Kleber (Mannheim)3, G. E. Delgado (Mannheim)3, A. P. Moissl (Mannheim)3, B. Krämer (Mannheim)3, W. März (Mannheim)4

1Universitätsklinikum Würzburg Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, ZIM Kardiologie Würzburg, Deutschland; 2Medizinische Universität Graz Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics Graz, Österreich; 3Universitätsklinikum Mannheim V. Medizinische Klinik Mannheim, Deutschland; 4SYNLAB Holding Deutschland GmbH SYNLAB Akademie Mannheim, Deutschland

 

Objective:
Recent studies suggested a relationship between systemic inflammation assessed via high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and cardiovascular mortality. We aimed to evaluate whether hsCRP and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are associated with cardiovascular mortality in a German hospital-based cohort.

Methods:
Data were drawn from the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study, including 3,316 caucasian patients undergoing coronary angiography between June 1997 and May 2001. To minimize clinical heterogeneity, individuals with acute illnesses unrelated to acute coronary syndromes, chronic non-cardiac conditions, or a history of malignancy within the past five years were excluded. Patients were followed-up for a median of 9.9 years. The number of cardiovascular-related deaths during the follow-up period was 622. HsCRP was measured by immunonephelometry and categorized into three groups (1st <1 mg/L, 2nd 1-2 mg/L and 3rd interval >2 mg/L). IL-6 was measured by ELISA and categorized into two groups (1st < 3.2 ng/L, 2nd ≥ 3.2 ng/L). The outcome was cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results:
Participants were predominantly male, with a mean age of 62.6 years. HsCRP >2 mg/L compared to <1mg/L was associated with a higher risk for CVD mortality (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08-1.79. Comparing higher vs. lower IL-6 levels was also associated with higher CVD mortality (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.64 – 2.23).

Conclusion:                                                                                                                                  
Elevated hsCRP and IL-6 levels were independently associated with cardiovascular mortality. Anti-inflammatory treatments may provide additional therapeutic benefits for individuals at high cardiovascular risks.

Keywords:

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, cardiovascular mortality

 


 



Figure: Bar charts showing the association of hsCRP and IL-6 with cardiovascular mortality. Hazard Ratios (HRs) are displayed with 95% confidence intervals (error bars). Asterisks (*) indicate statistically significant results (p < 0.05).

 

Diese Seite teilen