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Association between white blood cell count and risk factors of coronary artery disease
V Capuano1, N Lamaida, M De Martino
1Reparto di Cardiologia, Ospedale di Battipaglia, SA.
Insights
Elevated white blood cell (WBC) count is linked to coronary heart disease risk factors like smoking and high cholesterol in Southern Italians. This suggests WBC count may help assess cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Epidemiologic studies indicate a correlation between white blood cell (WBC) count and myocardial infarction risk.
- Investigating the association between WBC count and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in a specific population is crucial for public health.
- Understanding these links can aid in early detection and prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between white blood cell (WBC) count and other coronary heart disease risk factors.
- To investigate the role of WBC count in identifying individuals at high risk for cardiovascular events.
- To examine these associations within a southern Italian population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline data from 1091 subjects (522 males, 569 females) from the 'Montecorvino Rovella Project'.
- Employed multiple linear regression analysis to determine associations between WBC count and various risk factors.
- Compared WBC counts across smoking status groups (smokers, ex-smokers, never-smokers).
Main Results:
- WBC count was significantly higher in smokers compared to ex-smokers and never-smokers.
- Multiple linear regression revealed a positive association between WBC count and triglycerides, cholesterol, fasting glucose, and diastolic blood pressure.
- These findings highlight a potential atherogenic profile linked to elevated WBC count.
Conclusions:
- Elevated WBC count is associated with key coronary artery disease risk factors, particularly smoking, in this southern Italian cohort.
- The study identifies an atherogenic profile associated with high WBC counts.
- WBC count may serve as a valuable marker for coronary risk assessment in apparently healthy individuals, warranting further investigation into its independent role.
Background:
Epidemiologic studies have shown a correlation between white blood cell (WBC) count and risk of developing myocardial infarction. Aim of this study is to assess the association between WBC and the other risk factors of coronary heart disease in a southern Italian population.
Methods:
Baseline data for the 1091 subjects (522 males and 569 females) enrolled in the "Montecorvino Rovella Project" were used to study factors associated with leukocytes.
Results:
WBC count was significantly higher in smokers (8711.1 +/- 1892 cells/dl) than in ex-smokers (6720 +/- 1608 cells/dl) and in those who never smoked (6674 +/- 1608 cells/dl). By multiple linear regression analysis, WBC count showed a positive association with triglycerides (p < 0.01), cholesterol (p < 0.05) fasting glucose levels (p < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
In this southern Italian population, elevated WBC count has been associated with other risk factors of coronary artery disease, particularly smoking, and has identified a high risk atherogenic profile. Even if the independency of the role of WBC is still under investigation, WBC count should be taken into account in establishing the coronary risk of apparently healthy people.