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Association of Plasma Osmolality with Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition
Feng Gao1, Yicheng Shi1, Yi Chen1
1Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Wuxi Hospital - Cardiovascular, Wuxi - China.
Insights
Elevated plasma osmolality (Osm) is linked to higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, including heart failure and heart attacks. This finding suggests Osm could be a valuable biomarker for assessing and managing CVD risk.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Medicine
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
- Identifying modifiable and measurable risk factors for CVD is crucial for public health.
- Plasma osmolality (Osm) is a potential, yet understudied, physiological marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma osmolality (Osm) and major cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
- Specific CVD outcomes examined include heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, and myocardial infarction.
- Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for comprehensive analysis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nine NHANES cycles spanning from 1999 to 2018.
- Weighted logistic regression models were employed to assess the relationship between Osm and CVD.
- Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models explored nonlinear associations, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Main Results:
- Higher plasma osmolality showed significant associations with increased odds of heart failure, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction after full adjustment.
- A significant U-shaped relationship was observed for heart failure and angina, indicating lowest risk around 278 mmol/kg.
- Subgroup analyses corroborated the primary findings, reinforcing the link between Osm and CVD risk.
Conclusions:
- Increased plasma osmolality is significantly associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk.
- Plasma osmolality demonstrates potential as a clinical biomarker for CVD risk assessment and management.
- Further validation through prospective cohort studies is recommended to confirm these findings.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world's leading cause of death. Because of its substantial public health burden, further research is needed to define risk factors that are both modifiable and measurable.
Objective:
We examined the association between plasma osmolality (Osm) and CVDs - namely, heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, and myocardial infarction - using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Methods:
We analyzed nine NHANES cycles (1999-2018). Associations between Osm and CVD were assessed with weighted logistic regression. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were estimated, and subgroup analyses were conducted. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to evaluate potential nonlinear relationships. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Higher Osm was associated with increased odds of heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, and myocardial infarction in unadjusted and partially adjusted models. After full adjustment, the associations remained significant for all outcomes except angina. RCS analyses indicated a significant U-shaped relationship for heart failure and angina across all models, with the lowest risk around 278 mmol/kg. Subgroup analyses were consistent with the primary results.
Conclusion:
Increased Osm is significantly associated with CVD risk. Osm may serve as a useful biomarker for assessment and management of CVD risk in clinical practice, pending confirmation in prospective cohort studies.
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