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Macromolecular creatine kinase type 1: a serum marker associated with disease
M Laureys1, J P Sion, H Slabbynck
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, Akademisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
Insights
Macromolecular creatine kinase type 1 (macro CK type 1) complexes are more common in patients than healthy donors. This finding may be linked to specific patient populations undergoing diagnostic testing.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Circulating creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes are crucial biomarkers in diagnosing various conditions.
- Macromolecular CK, specifically CK-immunoglobulin complexes (macro CK type 1), can interfere with standard CK assays.
- Understanding the prevalence and clinical associations of macro CK type 1 is important for accurate patient assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of macro CK type 1 in a patient cohort undergoing CK isoenzyme analysis.
- To investigate demographic and clinical associations with macro CK type 1.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of CK isoenzyme assays from over 8000 patients.
- Comparison with a control group of 1304 age- and sex-matched blood donors.
- Identification and characterization of macro CK type 1 complexes.
Main Results:
- Macro CK type 1 was identified in 49 individuals, with an overall prevalence of 0.61% in the patient population.
- Prevalence was higher in women and individuals over 70 years old.
- Macro CK type 1 was associated with cardiovascular disease complications, critical illnesses, and adverse outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Macro CK type 1 is more prevalent in patients requiring CK isoenzyme testing than in the general population.
- Demographic factors and clinical conditions may influence macro CK type 1 detection.
- The observed clinical associations might be influenced by patient selection bias for CK testing.
Abstract:
The prevalence of circulating macromolecular creatine kinase type 1 (macro CK type 1 or CK-immunoglobulin complexes) is significantly higher in a patient population selected for CK isoenzyme assay than in age- and sex-matched blood donors (n = 1304). In greater than 8000 patients studied, 49 individuals with macro CK type 1 were identified, yielding an overall prevalence of 0.61%. Macro CK type 1 complexes occurred more frequently in women and in patients older than 70 years, and were often associated with complications of cardiovascular disease, life-threatening conditions, and poor outcome. These latter clinical associations could arise, at least partly, from the selection of patients for whom CK isoenzyme analysis was ordered.