Association of inflammatory markers and lipoprotein particle subclasses with progression of coronary artery calcium: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

Abstract Background and aims Atherosclerosis is a complex phenomenon manifesting several features typical of chronic inflammation and disorders of lipid metabolism. We assessed association of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lipid variables and inflammatory markers with incident CAC and CAC progression among participants with baseline CAC ≥0. Methods MESA is a longitudinal cohort study of 6,814 participants (aged 45–85). 3,115 had CAC = 0 and 2,896 had CAC>0 at baseline. Repeat CAC measurements were obtained (mean duration of follow up, 6.5 years). Results IL-6 (log pg/mL) and fibrinogen (50 mg/dL) were associated with a higher relative risk (RR) of incident CAC (HU) (RR = 1.09, p=0.010 & RR 1.05, p=0.004, respectively). Small LDL (100 nmol/L) (RR = 1.03, p 0, progression of CAC was positively associated with hsCRP (log mg/L) (β = 1.99), IL-6 (log pg/mL) (β = 2.9), fibrinogen (50 mg/dL) (β = 1.0), large VLDL (log nmol/L) (β = 2.2), and small LDL (100 nmol/L) (β = 0.36) (all p values  Conclusions Inflammatory markers and lipoprotein particles were associated with CAC incidence and progression in minimally adjusted models, but not after adjustment for traditional risk factors.