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Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Testing Analyzer for Measuring Peripheral Blood Leukocytes
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Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Testing Analyzer for Measuring Peripheral Blood Leukocytes

Published on: March 22, 2022

Leukocyte count is associated with incidence of coronary events, but not with stroke: a prospective cohort study

Cairu Li1, Gunnar Engström, Bo Hedblad

  • 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. cairu.li@med.lu.se

Atherosclerosis
|October 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Elevated leukocyte counts in men are linked to a higher risk of coronary events (CE), but not stroke. This association, particularly in younger men, persists over long follow-up periods.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Inflammation Research
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Elevated leukocyte count is a recognized indicator of systemic inflammation.
  • The relationship between leukocyte count and cardiovascular disease incidence requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between leukocyte count and the incidence of coronary events (CE) and stroke.
  • To examine if this association differs by sex and age.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 17,131 men and 2932 women aged 27-61 without prior cardiovascular disease (CVD) was followed for a mean of 24 years.
  • Coronary event and stroke incidence were analyzed in relation to leukocyte concentrations, with adjustments for risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Higher leukocyte counts (highest vs. lowest quartile) were associated with increased CE incidence in men (HR: 1.31), but not significantly in women.
  • The association in men remained significant after adjusting for plasma fibrinogen and was most pronounced in younger men and those without hypertension.
  • Leukocyte count was not associated with stroke incidence in either sex.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated leukocyte count in men is a significant predictor of increased coronary event incidence.
  • The risk of coronary events associated with high leukocyte counts persists long-term, especially in younger men.
  • Leukocyte count is not associated with stroke incidence.
Abstract

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