Reduced lung function, C-reactive protein, and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We explored whether reduced lung function is a predictor of mortality

due to cardiovascular or coronary artery disease (CVD or CAD), and, if this

hypothesis is correct, whether C-reactive protein (CRP), a systemic inflammatory

marker, is responsible for this association in a general population-based cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the Third Nutrition and Health Examination Survey

(NHANES III) database and the NHANES III Linked Mortality File. A total of 13,310

participants >/=20 years of age who completed a spirometric test at baseline

examination were included. On comparison of the participants in the lowest forced

vital capacity percent predicted (FVC% pred) quartile with those in the highest

quartile, the hazard ratio (HR) was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.7-2.6) for cardiovascular

mortality and 2.2 (95% CI: 1.6-3.2) for coronary mortality. A similar association

was observed for forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent predicted (FEV1% pred).

When the participants with the highest FVC% pred or FEV1% pred (Q4) and low CRP

(</=0.22 mg/dl) were defined as the reference group, the adjusted HR for

cardiovascular mortality was significantly increased in the individuals with the

lowest spirometric volume (Q1), and the risk was prominent in individuals with

high CRP (>0.22 mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between

lung function parameters and death from CVD and CAD in the general population.