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Elevated plasma fibrin D-dimer as a risk factor for vascular dementia: the Three-City cohort study

L Carcaillon1, P Gaussem, P Ducimetière

  • 1Inserm Unit 780, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Villejuif. laure.carcaillon@inserm.fr

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|September 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

In elderly individuals, higher levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer are linked to increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Elevated D-dimer may also be a risk factor for vascular dementia (VaD).

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Hemostatic biomarkers are linked to coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, but less is known about these associations in the elderly.
  • Vascular factors may influence dementia, yet data on hemostatic biomarkers and dementia risk are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between hemostatic biomarkers (fibrinogen, D-dimer, von Willebrand factor) and the risk of CHD, stroke, and dementia in an elderly population.

Main Methods:

  • The Three-City cohort study included individuals aged 65 and older.
  • Examined the 4-year incidence of arterial disease and dementia in relation to fibrinogen, D-dimer, and von Willebrand factor levels.
  • Used hazard ratios to compare risks across biomarker quintiles, with P-values indicating linear trend significance.

Main Results:

  • Elevated fibrinogen correlated with increased risk of CHD and myocardial infarction.
  • High D-dimer was associated with CHD risk in younger elderly individuals (<75 years) but not older ones.
  • Increased D-dimer levels were significantly associated with a higher risk of vascular dementia (VaD).

Conclusions:

  • In the elderly, elevated fibrinogen and D-dimer levels are associated with incident arterial disease.
  • High D-dimer levels may serve as a novel risk factor for vascular dementia (VaD).
Abstract

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