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Microalbuminuria and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction are independently associated with cardiovascular mortality:
Hanneke J B H Beijers1, Isabel Ferreira, Bert Bravenboer
1Department of Internal Medicine, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
Objective:
Microalbuminuria is associated with cardiovascular mortality, particularly among individuals with type 2 diabetes, but the mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood. Microalbuminuria is known to be associated with cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (C-AD), and C-AD in turn is associated with cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether C-AD can explain the relationship between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular mortality.
Research Design And Methods:
We studied 490 individuals from a population-based cohort of individuals aged 50-75 years who were followed for a median period of 13.6 years. Microalbuminuria was defined as an albumin-to-creatinine ratio > or =2.0 mg/mmol in an early-morning spot-urine sample. Ten parameters reflecting different aspects of cardiovascular autonomic function were measured and compiled into a total score of C-AD (mean of separate z scores). The association between C-AD and microalbuminuria was estimated by multiple linear regression, and relative risks (RRs) for cardiovascular mortality were estimated by Cox proportional hazards analyses.
Results:
After adjustments for age, sex, glucose tolerance status, and other risk factors, C-AD was associated with microalbuminuria (beta = 0.16 [95% CI 0.01-0.33]), and both microalbuminuria (RR 2.09 [1.07-4.08]) and C-AD (1.74 [1.04-2.89]) were associated with cardiovascular mortality. These associations did not change after further mutual adjustment for C-AD (2.13 [1.09-4.17]) or microalbuminuria (1.76 [1.05-2.94]), respectively.
Conclusions:
Both microalbuminuria and C-AD are independently associated with cardiovascular mortality, and the excess mortality attributable to microalbuminuria cannot be explained by C-AD.
Insights
Microalbuminuria and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (C-AD) are independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality. C-AD does not explain the increased mortality risk associated with microalbuminuria in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Microalbuminuria is linked to increased cardiovascular mortality, especially in type 2 diabetes patients.
- Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (C-AD) is also associated with higher cardiovascular mortality.
- The relationship between microalbuminuria, C-AD, and cardiovascular mortality requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if C-AD mediates the association between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular mortality.
- To investigate the independent contributions of microalbuminuria and C-AD to cardiovascular mortality risk.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort of 490 individuals aged 50-75 years was followed for a median of 13.6 years.
- Microalbuminuria was defined by albumin-to-creatinine ratio (> or =2.0 mg/mmol).
- Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (C-AD) was assessed using ten parameters compiled into a total score; associations were analyzed using regression and Cox proportional hazards models.
Main Results:
- Adjusted analyses revealed C-AD was associated with microalbuminuria (beta = 0.16).
- Both microalbuminuria (RR 2.09) and C-AD (RR 1.74) were significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality.
- These associations remained significant after mutual adjustment, indicating independent effects.
Conclusions:
- Microalbuminuria and C-AD are independent risk factors for cardiovascular mortality.
- C-AD does not explain the excess cardiovascular mortality associated with microalbuminuria.
- Both conditions warrant attention for cardiovascular risk assessment.
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