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Decreased serum bilirubin is associated with silent cerebral infarction

Rui-Yan Li1, Zhi-Gang Cao, Ji-Rong Zhang

  • 1From the Departments of Neurosurgery (R.-Y.L.), Interventional Radiology (Z.-G.C.), and Geriatrics (J.-R.Z., Y.L., R.-T.W.) and International Physical Examination and Healthy Center (Y.L.), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|December 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Lower total bilirubin (TB) levels are linked to a higher prevalence of silent cerebral infarction (SCI). Early measurement of TB may help assess SCI risk, independent of traditional cardiovascular factors.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) is a known risk factor for stroke, dementia, and cardiovascular events.
  • Lower total bilirubin (TB) levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.
  • The relationship between TB and SCI remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between total bilirubin (TB) levels and the presence of silent cerebral infarction (SCI).
  • To determine if TB can serve as a biochemical marker for SCI risk.
  • To assess the correlation between TB and SCI independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 2865 participants undergoing medical checkups.
  • Comparison of TB levels between participants with and without SCI.
  • Partial correlation and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusting for confounding covariates.

Main Results:

  • Participants with SCI exhibited lower TB levels compared to those without SCI.
  • A higher prevalence of SCI was observed in individuals with low TB levels.
  • Higher TB levels were significantly associated with a reduced risk of SCI (OR, 0.925; P<0.001).
  • TB levels showed a significant correlation with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (r=-0.149; P<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Total bilirubin (TB) is identified as a novel biochemical indicator for silent cerebral infarction (SCI).
  • TB measurement may be a valuable tool for early risk assessment of SCI.
  • The association between TB and SCI is significant, irrespective of classical cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract

Keywords:
atherosclerosisbilirubincerebral infarction

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