No relation between biomarkers at age 47-49 and aortic diameter after 14-19 years of follow-up - a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers reflecting diverse pathophysiological pathways may play an important role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (aortic diameter ≥30 mm, AAA), levels of many biomarkers are elevated and correlated to aortic diameter among 65-year-old men undergoing ultrasound (US) screening for AAA.

PROBANDS AND METHODS: To evaluate potential relationships between biomarkers and aortic dilatation after long-term follow-up, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), proneurotensin (PNT), copeptin (CPT), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase 2 (Lp-PLA2), cystatin C (Cyst C), midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), and midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) were measured in 117 subjects (114 [97 %] men) aged 47-49 in a prospective population-based cohort study, and related to aortic diameter at US examination of the aorta after 14-19 years of follow-up.

RESULTS: Biomarker levels at baseline did not correlate with aortic diameter after 14-19 years of follow up (CRP [r = 0.153], PNT [r = 0.070], CPT [r = -.156], Lp-PLA2 [r = .024], Cyst C [r = -.015], MR-proANP [r = 0.014], MR-proADM [r = -.117]). Adjusting for age and smoking at baseline in a linear regression model did not reveal any significant correlations.

CONCLUSIONS: Tested biomarker levels at age 47-49 were not associated with aortic diameter at ultrasound examination after 14-19 years of follow-up. If there are relationships between these biomarkers and aortic dilatation, they are not relevant until closer to AAA diagnosis.