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Determinants of population changes in fibrinogen and factor VII over 6 years: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities
A R Folsom1, K K Wu, M Rasmussen
1Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454-1015, USA. folsom@epivax.epi.umn.edu
Insights
This study tracked cardiovascular risk factors and found that adverse changes, like developing diabetes or smoking, correlate with increased fibrinogen and factor VII levels over six years.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Hemostasis
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cross-sectional studies suggest links between cardiovascular risk factors and plasma fibrinogen/factor VII.
- Prospective data on longitudinal changes in these markers are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal relationship between changes in fibrinogen and factor VII levels and alterations in cardiovascular risk factors over a 6-year period.
- To identify specific risk factors associated with increasing fibrinogen and factor VII in a large cohort.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 440 men and 549 women in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
- Longitudinal assessment of changes in plasma fibrinogen and factor VII coagulant activity.
- Correlation of these changes with modifications in cardiovascular risk factors including age, diabetes status, smoking, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, and hormone replacement therapy.
Main Results:
- Fibrinogen increased with age, diabetes, smoking history, and decreased HDL cholesterol/increased triglycerides; it decreased with hormone replacement therapy in women.
- Factor VII activity increased with younger age, female sex, weight gain, diabetes, smoking cessation, decreased triglycerides, and hormone replacement therapy in women.
- Generally, adverse cardiovascular risk factor changes were associated with increased fibrinogen and factor VII levels.
Conclusions:
- Longitudinal data indicate that changes in cardiovascular risk factors are often accompanied by corresponding shifts in plasma fibrinogen and factor VII levels.
- These findings reinforce the role of hemostatic factors in the progression of cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding these longitudinal associations can inform risk stratification and preventive strategies.
Abstract:
Although numerous cross-sectional studies have identified possible determinants of plasma fibrinogen and factor VII levels, few prospective studies exist. We assessed the longitudinal relation of changes in fibrinogen and factor VII over 6 years with changes to other cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of 440 men and 549 women from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Fibrinogen increased more in older participants, those with or who developed diabetes, those who at any time smoked, and those whose plasma HDL cholesterol or triglycerides decreased and increased less in female participants who started hormonal replacement therapy. Factor VII coagulant activity increased more in younger participants, women, those who gained greater weight or developed diabetes, those who quit smoking, those in whom plasma triglycerides decreased, and female participants who received hormonal replacement therapy. Thus, our longitudinal data suggest with some exceptions that adverse changes in cardiovascular risk factors are accompanied by increases in plasma levels of fibrinogen and factor VII.