Biomedical subjects

Ki Chul Sung

Publications and source records attributed to Ki Chul Sung.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Relationship of cardiovascular risk factors and serum ferritin with C-reactive protein.

BACKGROUND: Serum iron plays an important role in the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, it induces inflammatory reactions and it is positively related to coronary heart disease. An increase of the inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), is a risk factor for future cardiac events. Hence, we examined the association of the cardiovascular disease risk factors and serum ferritin with CRP. METHODS: This study was performed on 808 subjects (465 males and 343 females). CRP levels >3.0 mg/L, serum ferritin levels >200 ng/mL, total cholesterol levels >200 mg/dL and LDL-cholesterol levels >160 mg/dL were all considered as elevated. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels <40 mg/dL were considered as low. RESULTS: In the group with low LDL-cholesterol, no correlation was detected between serum ferritin and hsCRP [odds ratio (OR) = 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.81-3.48, p = 0.144]. However, a correlation was detected in the group with elevated LDL-cholesterol (OR = 11.21, 95% CI = 1.14-110.27, p = 0.032). In addition, when the interaction term was added to the assessment of the correlation between the elevated hsCRP and LDL-cholesterol, the strong correlation of hsCRP and serum ferritin was confirmed (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidation of LDL-cholesterol by serum ferritin may play a role in the inflammatory reaction and for the increased hsCRP. Future prospective studies may be required to assess whether reducing the serum ferritin and CRP levels via medical intervention and life style modification would be helpful for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

An association of a variety of cardiovascular risk factors with low grade albuminuria in Korean men.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have challenged the original definition of microalbuminuria when used to assess the risk of coronary heart disease or death. However, no large study has been conducted on Asian subjects regarding this topic to date. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between albuminuria below 17 microg/mg and other cardiovascular risk factors in apparently healthy Korean men. METHODS: We enrolled 2474 men with albuminuria below 17 microg/mg to participate in this study. We evaluated a variety of cardiovascular risk factors as well as the urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR). The subjects were stratified into five groups by their UACR values and comparisons were made among the five groups. RESULTS: The comparisons showed that the UACR was progressively higher in subjects with a larger waist circumference and BMI as well as higher values for: serum triglyceride, glucose, hsCRP, and the systolic BP, in addition to a higher prevalence of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. When we excluded subjects with hypertension and diabetes, the results were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that low grade albuminuria in Korean men was associated with a variety of cardiovascular risk factors, and this finding was unchanged when we excluded subjects with diabetes and hypertension. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical implications of our findings.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Assessment of factors affecting plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and preserved left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study was to assess the factors influencing plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic AF and preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 104 patients (48 men, 56 women; mean age, 63.9+/-10.7 years) with chronic AF. At the same time, plasma BNP levels were measured with a Triage kit (Biosite, San Diego, CA). RESULTS: Women, long duration of AF, and hypertension were more prevalent in the highest quartile group of BNP levels than in the lowest quartile of BNP. Significant correlations were observed between plasma BNP levels and the following: mitral E velocity (r=0.343), mitral annular E' velocity (r=-0.402), ratio of mitral E velocity and mitral annular E' velocity (r=0.487), left atrial(LA) size (r=0.653), LA volume index (r=0.775), right atrial (RA) volume index (r=0.563), maximal velocity (V(max)) of mitral regurgitation (MR) (r=0.448), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) V(max) (r=0.532) and LV mass index (r=0.581). In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, LA volume index (beta=0.326, p<0.001), LV mass index (beta=0.395, p<0.001) and duration of AF (beta=0.492, p<0.001) independently predicted plasma BNP levels in the study subjects. The patients with increased LA volume index exhibited a longer duration of AF, larger RA volume index and LV mass index, higher MR V(max), TR V(max) and plasma BNP level. CONCLUSIONS: LA volume index, LV mass index and duration of AF are independent predictors of plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic AF and preserved LV systolic function.

Atrial Fibrillation↗

PubMed2006

The sequential changes in the fasting plasma glucose levels within normoglycemic range predict type 2 diabetes in healthy, young men.

AIMS: We assessed whether the increased sequential changes in the fasting plasma glucose level (FPG) that is still within the normoglycemic range could be a predictor for future diabetes. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 5296 male employees, aged 31-44 years. A sequential change in the FPG level was defined as the first follow-up FPG level minus the baseline FPG level. The incident diabetes was assessed at annual examinations during the next 4.1 years. Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed. RESULTS: During the 21,575.5 person-years follow-up among the 5,296 subjects, a total of 156 incident cases of type 2 diabetes occurred (116 cases among the 4,975 normoglycemic subjects and 40 cases among the 321 subjects with impaired fasting glucose). An increase in the FPG level from the baseline to the first follow-up, although still within the normoglycemic range (FPG<100 mg/dl), significantly predicted future diabetes: the multivariate hazard ratios associated with the sequential changes in the FPG of <-3, -3 to 3, 4-6, 7-9, and >9 mg/dl were 0.75, 1.00 (reference), 2.28, 3.28, and 6.10, respectively (p for trend <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The increase of the sequential changes in the FPG level that were within the normal glucose range was associated with a higher risk for developing diabetes. Thus, conducting assessment for the serial changes in the FPG level may help to identify the young, healthy, normoglycemic individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Seasonal variation of C-reactive protein in apparently healthy Koreans.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is known as an emerging recognized marker of the potential risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, and several studies have reported higher incidences of cardiovascular events during the winter months. Here, we investigated seasonal CRP variations using a high-sensitivity immunoradiometric assay in apparently healthy Koreans. METHODS: This study included 18,445 apparently healthy Koreans (12,064 men and 6381 women, 47.2 (11.5) years of age). Anthropometric indices of adiposity, metabolic variables, blood pressure (BP), and several cardiovascular risk factors were measured. High sensitivity CRP testing was performed by immunonephelometry. RESULTS: The mean (SD) CRP level in the study population was 1.66 (2.15) mg/L, and mean (SD) CRP levels in the spring, summer, fall and winter were 1.76 (2.30) mg/L, 1.51 (1.94) mg/L, 1.61 (2.08) mg/L, and 1.76 (2.30) mg/L, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, regular exercise, smoking, and body mass index, the odds ratios of an elevated CRP in the spring, fall and winter season were 1.196 (95% CI, 1.024-1.396 p = 0.024), 1.086 (95% CI, 0.943-1.250 p = 0.251) and 1.258 (95% CI, 1.088-1.456 p = 0.002), respectively, as compared with the summer season. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a highly significant seasonal variation in CRP levels, with higher values during winter and spring than in summer. Elevated plasma CRP levels can be related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, which are more prominent during the winter months. To further elucidate this relationship additional studies are needed.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

Should the lower limit of impaired fasting glucose be reduced from 110 mg/dL in Korea?

The aims of this study were to determine if impaired fasting glucose should be redefined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol/L) in Korea. A prospective cohort study was undertaken involving 13189 male workers aged 30 to 59 years who did not have medication for diabetes, a history of any cancer, or a fasting glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher at the initial examination between January 1999 to December 2000. Subjects were reexamined at periodic annual health examination over a 5-year period. The receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting the future onset of diabetes was derived by plotting the sensitivity against 1 - specificity for a baseline FPG of less than 126 mg/dL. The age- and body mass index-adjusted incidence density of type 2 diabetes mellitus was examined according to the percentile of the distribution for the baseline FPG. The baseline FPG for predicting the future onset of diabetes at a point on the receiver operating characteristic curve that was closest to the ideal 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity was 92 mg/dL. There was a threshold for the age- and body mass index-adjusted incidence density of diabetes in the group with FPG of 93 to 95 mg/dL, at a mean of 93.9 mg/dL. Lowering the lower limit of impaired fasting glucose to 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) would optimize its sensitivity and specificity for predicting the future onset of diabetes in Korea.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Presence and severity of coronary artery disease and changes in B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with a normal systolic function.

B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels increase during myocardial ischemia. Here, the authors undertook to evaluate the correlation between changes in plasma BNP levels during exercise and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). The study subjects consisted of 159 hospitalized patients with a normal systolic function. Patients were allocated to a control group (N = 101, comprising patients with coronary artery stenosis of < 50%) or to a CAD group (N = 58, comprising patients with stenosis of > or = 50% or a greater coronary artery lesion). In addition, the CAD group was further subdivided into a single-vessel disease (VD) subgroup (N = 31) and a multi-VD subgroup (N = 27). All 159 study subjects underwent coronary angiography (CAG), and plasma BNP levels were measured before and immediately after exercise. A comparative study of BNP levels in the control and CAD groups before and after exercise revealed that BNP levels in the CAD group were significantly higher [22.4 (5.0-28.5) vs. 54.3 (13.1-74.6), P = 0.000; 35.0 (6.2-37.6) vs. 82.5 (23.2-102.8) pg/mL, P = 0.002, respectively]. Changes in BNP levels during exercise in the CAD group tended to be greater than in the control group, but without significance [12.6 (0-13.6) vs. 28.3 (2.8-25.5) pg/mL; P = 0.083]. Subgroup analysis showed that BNP levels tended to be positively related to the proportion of disease vessels, but statistical significance was only found between the control and multi-VD subgroup. Summarizing, this study shows that BNP level changes caused by exercise are closely related with the presence of CAD in patients with a normal systolic function. However, the relationship between these level changes and CAD severity requires further evaluation.

Coronary Angiography↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of the relationships between serum apolipoprotein B and serum lipid distributions.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein B (apo B) has been reported to be a better predictor of coronary artery disease than cholesterol indices. The objectives of this study were to evaluate concordances/discordances between cholesterol indices and apo B and to assess the factors that influence them. METHODS: For this study, 11 816 individuals (6965 males, 4851 females), none of whom had a past history of coronary artery disease, were selected from among visitors to the health promotion center at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between January and December 2002. We assessed concordances between the biochemical indices of atherogenicity and evaluated factors associated with discordances. RESULTS: Apo B and various cholesterol indices were correlated, although concordance fell within the range 47%-56%. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed an increasing risk of a disproportionately higher apo B than LDL-cholesterol in males, the elderly, smokers, individuals with metabolic syndrome, in those with high HDL-cholesterol or triglyceride (TG) concentrations or larger waist circumferences, and in those with low total cholesterol (TC). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of apo B to standard lipid profile testing could improve the evaluation of risk factors of coronary artery disease and aid more accurate assessment of the effects of cholesterol-lowering therapy, particularly in males, the elderly, smokers, or in individuals with metabolic syndrome, high HDL-cholesterol, high TGs, larger waist circumferences, or low TC.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in Korean adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in healthy Korean adults. In 58981 subjects who participated in health screening program, the proportion of seropositive subjects for H. pylori and its association with cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 70.9% of participants were tested positive for the H. pylori antibody. The seropositivity was highest in the age group of 50 and 60 years old. More male subjects tended to be infected with H. pylori (p<0.05) than female subjects except for the age group of 50s. H. pylori seropositive subjects tended to be older than seronegative subjects (41.5 vs. 39.2 years old). After adjusting for age, H. pylori-seropositive group showed higher mean values for total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and lower values for high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 (p<0.05). In univariate correlation analysis, age, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were positively correlated and HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 were negatively correlated with H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers (p<0.05). The multiple analysis of covariance analysis (MANCOVA) for the H. pylori infection status showed triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoproteins associated with H. pylori infection significantly (p<0.05). In the analysis performed only in the H. pylori-seropositive group, no difference between the groups with and without peptic ulcer were shown according to the risk factors except HDL-cholesterol (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection is prevalent in Korean adults and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, especially with triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoproteins, independently from the presence of peptic ulcer. This is in line with the previous study results in which H. pylori infection per se might be one of the factors affecting atherosclerosis through modulation of lipid profiles, which needs further research.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Association between insulin resistance and apolipoprotein B in normoglycemic Koreans.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with a significant increase in the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The serum apolipoprotein B and Apo A1/Apo B ratio are important markers of CAD. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the serum Apo B and Apo A1/Apo B ratio, with insulin resistance in apparently healthy normoglycemic Koreans. METHODS: From the individuals that participated in medical screening at the health promotion center of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, between January and December 2002, a total of 7427 participants (4356 men, 3071 women) were enrolled in this study. All participants had no personal histories of diabetes, with normal fasting glucose levels. The clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters of the subjects were assessed. RESULTS: The Apo B, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed positive correlations with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (p<0.001). The Apo A1, Apo A1/Apo B, LDL/Apo B and HDL/Apo A1 showed negative correlations with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that insulin resistance may be associated with the serum Apo B and Apo A1/Apo B ratio in non-diabetic, normoglycemic subjects. Thus, further study may be needed to determine whether medical intervention is inevitable or not in these type of subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Spectrum of insulin sensitivity in the Korean population.

The aims of the present study were to (1) examine the range of values for insulin sensitivity measures such as fasting serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and (2) to identify cutoffs for indirect indexes of insulin sensitivity such as insulin, HOMA, and QUICKI that confer increased risk of metabolic syndrome in a large sample of Korean adults. The total number of study subjects involved was 83186. All of them presented for a routine health status checkup at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between January 2003 and December 2004, and none of them was currently taking medication for hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. We used 3 measures of insulin sensitivity: the fasting serum insulin, the HOMA, and the QUICKI. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome was examined by tenths of the distribution of each index of insulin. The fasting serum insulin, HOMA, and QUICKI were compared by using receiver operating characteristic curves. The fasting serum insulin ranged from 1.71 to 70.40 microU/mL, with the 25th percentile = 5.97, the median = 7.69, and the 75th percentile = 9.82. The HOMA ranged from 0.34 to 17.72, with the 25th percentile = 1.33, the median = 1.74, and the 75th percentile = 2.27. The QUICKI ranged from 0.112 to 0.202, with the 25th percentile = 0.146, the median = 0.152, and the 75th percentile = 0.158. The insulin, HOMA, and QUICKI values at the point on the receiver operating characteristic curve closest to the ideal of 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting the presence of metabolic syndrome were 9.7 microU/mL, 2.43, and 0.145, respectively. In conclusion, these findings describe the spectrum of insulin sensitivity in Korean adults. This study is the first attempt to determine cutoff values for indirect indexes of insulin sensitivity such as insulin, HOMA, and QUICKI that confer an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. These findings may be useful for evaluating insulin resistance, particularly in epidemiological studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Situational syncope induced by belching.

We describe a case of situational syncope induced by belching. The patient showed severe syncope with a high-degree atrioventricular block just after belching, but has not experienced syncope or dizziness over a 3-month follow-up after permanent pacemaker implantation.

Eructation↗

PubMed2005

Relationship between serum uric acid concentration and insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Associations between hyperuricemia, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have been reported, but few of the studies have been conducted in the Korean population. The present study examined a Korean adult population with respect to the relationships between serum uric acid concentrations and hypertension, insulin resistance, and the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 53,477 subjects were divided into 4 groups according to serum uric acid quartiles. The incidence of hypertension in all subjects was higher in the first quartile than in the third plus fourth quartile (odds ratio (OR) 1.192, p < 0.001). Homeostasis model assessment index was found to be associated with serum uric acid concentration in all subjects (OR 1.193, p < 0.001), and the serum uric acid concentration was positively correlated with the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. In addition, the number of metabolic syndrome variables increased as serum uric acid concentration increased. CONCLUSIONS: Serum uric acid concentration was found to be independently correlated with hypertension, insulin resistance and the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. In addition, even those with a serum uric acid concentration in the normal range showed an increased risk of metabolic syndrome as serum uric acid concentration increased.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Hypoxic regulation of VEGF, HIF-1(alpha) in coronary collaterals development.

BACKGROUND: The interindividual variability for the development of collaterals in coronary artery disease is dependent on the hypoxic induction level of VEGF. To determine whether the hypoxic induction of VEGF is controlled by the transcription of HIF-1 (alpha), the VEGF and HIF-1 (alpha) m-RNA levels were correlated to hypoxia in monocytes harvested from patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: The collateral scoring system used was modified from the TIMI system. The mononuclear cell layer of the patients' blood was cultured in hypoxia (1% O2, 5% CO2, 94%N2) and normoxia (5% CO2, 95% room air) for 17 hours. The VEGF and HIF-1 (alpha) mRNA levels were measured using a RT-PCR technique. We calculated the fold inductionsof VEGF, HIF-1 (alpha) mRNA with hypoxia by dividing the hypoxic and the normoxic values. RESULTS: We found significantly higher hypoxic inductions of VEGF m-RNA in patients with collaterals compared to patients with no collaterals. However, there was no differencein the hypoxic inductions of HIF-1 (alpha) between the two groups (VEGF m-RNA mean fold inductions 3.71 +/- 3.30 versus 1.65 +/- 0.62, p=0.012, HIF-1(alpha) mRNA 1.42 +/- 0.58 versus 1.20 +/- 0.39, p=0.165). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the interindividual variability in the hypoxic inductions of VEGF m-RNA in monocytes in patients is not controlled by the transcriptional levels of HIF-1 (alpha) with hypoxia. These findings suggest that a mechanism such as the post-transcriptional modification of HIF-1(alpha) is involved in the hypoxic inductions of VEGF.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2004

Insulin resistance, body mass index, waist circumference are independent risk factor for high blood pressure.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships between blood pressure (BP), insulin resistance as determined by a homeostasis model (HOMA-IR), and body fat distribution. METHODS: Anthropometric indices of adiposity, metabolic variables (fasting serum insulin and a homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] index of insulin sensitivity), BP and several cardiovascular risk factors were measured during a cross sectional survey of 53477 apparently healthy Korean subjects who requested a health status check. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg or a diastolic BP > or = 90 mmHg and we excluded the subjects taking BP-lowering medication. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were positively and significantly associated with age, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio. In addition, SBP and DBP were positively associated with fasting serum insulin levels and the HOMA index. By multiple regression analysis age, waist circumference, body mass index, HOMA index and female sex were independently associated with either increased SBP or DBP. When the population is divided into quintiles according to insulin resistance (measured by HOMA analysis) prevalence of hypertension in the second, third, fourth and fifth quintiles compared to subjects in the first quintile are 1.004(95% CI 0.875-1.152, p = 0.957), 1.200(95% CI 1.052-1.369, p = 0.007), 1.312(95% CI 1.151-1.494 p < 0.001 ), and 1.603(95% CI 1.408-1.825 p < 0.001). In addition age, sex, body mass index and waist circumference were found to be significantly associated with hypertension. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that insulin resistance, body mass index and waist circumference are independent risk factors of a high BP in Koreans.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

In normoglycemic Koreans, insulin resistance and adipocity are independently correlated with high blood pressure.

BACKGROUND: There is some controversy about the role of insulin resistance (IR) in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). Moreover, a large study of the association between BP and IR has not been conducted in normal glucose tolerance Asians. The present study investigated the relationships between IR, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference and BP in normoglycemic Koreans. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anthropometric indices of adiposity, metabolic variables (fasting serum insulin and a homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index of insulin sensitivity), BP and several cardiovascular risk factors were measured during a cross-sectional survey of 49,076 normoglycemic Korean subjects. A high BP was defined as a systolic BP >/=140 mmHg or a diastolic BP >/=90 mmHg. The prevalence of high BP by HOMA grading was 0.985 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.857-1.132, p=0.835), 1.180 (95% CI 1.032-1.350, p=0.016), 1.289 (95% CI 1.129-1.472, p<0.001), and 1.540 (95% CI 1.341-1.768, p<0.001) times higher in subjects in the second, third, fourth, and fifth quintiles, respectively, compared with those in the first quintile. In addition, age, sex, waist circumference and BMI were found to be significantly associated with a high BP. CONCLUSION: IR, BMI and waist circumference are independently correlated with high BP in normoglycemic Koreans.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Relationship between peripheral leukocyte count and the severity of stable angina determined by coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation has been demonstrated to be an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The relationship of the peripheral leukocyte count to the severity of stable angina remains to be clarified. The present study analyzed the relationship of the peripheral leukocyte count to the severity of stable angina determined by coronary angiography. METHODS: The data from 108 patients with stable angina, and 92 subjects with normal coronary angiograms were reviewed, and the role of the peripheral leukocyte count as a risk factor for stable angina evaluated. In addition, the correlation of the peripheral leukocyte count and the severity of stable angina, as assessed by the Gensini's score in the stable angina group, were analyzed. RESULTS: Age, the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and the fasting blood sugar were significantly higher, and the HDL was lower in the stable angina than the control group. A multivariate analysis showed that a peripheral leukocyte count over 6,800/mm3 was an independent variable, but with no statistical significance (p=0.067), and diabetes (OR=3.02, 95% CI: 1.29-7.02) and old age (OR=3.62, 95% CI: 1.3-9.87) were independent risk factors for stable angina. A positive correlation between peripheral leukocyte count and Gensini's score was noted in the stable angina group even after adjusting for age, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid profiles (R2=0.198, p=0.015). CONCLUSION: An increased peripheral leukocyte count is considered not so much an indicator of the pathogenesis of stable angina, but as a predictor for disease progression. Furthermore, it is considered that the above correlation will be helpful in screening high-risk groups that require relatively active interventional therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

High sensitivity C-reactive protein as an independent risk factor for essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP), one of the hepatic acute phase reactants, has been associated with decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation, a potential risk factor for hypertension. However, the relationship between CRP and hypertension has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study is to assess whether circulating levels of CRP are independently related to essential hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated the relationship between high sensitivity CRP with blood pressure (BP) and several cardiovascular risk factors in a cross-sectional survey of 8347 apparently healthy Korean persons. The CRP was measured by nephelometry. RESULTS: The subjects consisted of 4813 men and 3534 women, aged >/=20 years. Mean (SD) age and CRP level of the population were 47.1 (11.5) years and 1.12 (1.72) mg/L. Overall hypertension prevalence was 34%. There was a significant positive association between BP and the CRP level (P <.0001). After adjustment for age, sex, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, high-density lipoprotein, the prevalence of hypertension by CRP was 1.267 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.079-1.487, P =.004), 1.253 (95% CI 1.062-1.477, P =.007), and 1.451 (95% CI 1.231-1.711, P <.001) times higher in subjects in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of CRP, as compared to subjects in the first quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the CRP level may be an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension in Korean persons. However, because of the cross-sectional nature of our study, this finding should be confirmed in prospective cohort studies, aimed at elucidating the role of CRP in the prediction, diagnosis, and management of hypertension.

Adult↗