Higher plasma GlycA, a novel pro-inflammatory glycoprotein biomarker, is associated with reduced life expectancy: The...

Elevated circulating levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers are associated with adverse health effects, but the extent to which enhanced low-grade inflammation influences remaining life expectancy (LE) is uncertain. GlycA is a novel pro-inflammatory marker. We determined effects of GlycA and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) on LE.

GlycA and hsCRP were determined in 5526 subjects. LE was compared in the upper quartile of both GlycA and hsCRP vs. the respective lower three quartiles combined, adjusted for LE of individuals in the Dutch general population of the same birth cohort and sex.

Median follow up was 8.5 years [interquartile range 7.9-9.0], during which 348 (6.3%) subjects had deceased. LE at the end of follow up was lower in the highest vs. the lower three quartiles of GlycA (P < .001) and hsCRP (P < .001). Both men as well as women in the highest GlycA quartile had reduced LE vs. the lowest three quartiles combined (P < .001 and P = .02). For hsCRP, this was only observed in men (P < .001) but not in women (P = .67).

This population-based cohort study demonstrates that higher plasma levels of GlycA were associated with reduced LE in men and women. With regard to hsCRP this only applied to men.