Plasma Proneurotensin and Prediction of Cause-Specific Mortality in a Middle-aged Cohort During Long-term Follow-up

Neurotensin is associated with cardiometabolic diseases but its role with mortality risk in humans is unknown.

This work aims to examine the prediction of proneurotensin (Pro-NT) with respect to total and cause-specific mortality in a middle-aged cohort.

In the population-based middle-aged cohort (n = 4632; mean age, 57 years) of the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, Pro-NT was assessed and total as well as cause-specific mortality was studied. Main cause of death was based on the International Classification of Diseases.

During a mean follow-up of 20 ± 3 years, 950 men and 956 women died. There was significantly increased mortality risk in individuals belonging to the highest quartile (Q) of Pro-NT (Q4, Pro-NT ≥ 149 pmol/L) compared with Qs 1 to 3 (Pro-NT < 149 pmol/L), hazard ratio (HR), 95% CI of 1.29 (1.17-1.42; P < .001). Data were adjusted for sex and age. No significant interaction was observed between Pro-NT and sex on mortality risk. Individuals within Q4 vs Qs 1 to 3 had an HR of 1.41 (95% CI, 1.18-1.68; P < .001) for death due to cardiovascular disease (n = 595/4632); 2.53 (95% CI, 1.37-4.67; P = .003), due to digestive tract disease (n = 42/4632), 1.62 (95% CI, 1.04-2.52; P = .032) due to mental and behavioral disease (n = 90/4632); and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.15-3.19; P = .013) due to unspecific causes (n = 64/4632). There was no significant relationship between Pro-NT and deaths due to cancer, infections, neurological, or other causes. Adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors only marginally changed these results.

The relationship between Pro-NT and total mortality risk was mainly driven by cardiovascular mortality, but high Pro-NT also predicts death from digestive, mental, and behavioral disease and deaths attributed to unspecific causes.