Leukocyte Count Is Better than LDL-C as Predictor of Novel Carotid Atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is a significant health concern in middle-aged adults.
• Identifying early risk factors for CAS is crucial for timely intervention.
• Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a common comorbidity that may influence CAS development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors for the initial development of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) in middle-aged adults.
• To establish predictive cutoff values for early CAS detection.
• To investigate the association between leukocyte count, LDL-C, and CAS development.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 1141 middle-aged adults.
• Comparison of subjects who developed CAS with a control group free of CAS and FLD.
• Statistical analyses including logistic regression, COX regression, and ROC curve analysis.

Main Results:

• Elevated leukocyte count (AUC: 0.622) and LDL-C (AUC: 0.600) were significantly associated with CAS development.
• Optimal predictive thresholds were identified as leukocyte count >5.00 × 10^9/L and LDL-C >125.1 mg/dL.
• Leukocyte count demonstrated a slightly stronger correlation with arteriosclerosis progression than LDL-C.

Conclusions:

• Leukocyte count and LDL-C serve as early warning indicators for CAS development within approximately one year.
• These biomarkers can aid in the early identification and management of carotid atherosclerosis.
• Further research may explore the combined predictive value of these markers.