International Journal of General Medicine (May 2024)
Predictive Value of Plasma PCSK9 Levels for Degree of Atherosclerosis and Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Older Adult Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Abstract
Jinrui Ji,1,2,* Xiaoyun Wei,1,2,* Dongyun Wan,1,2,* Lei Wu,1,2,* Guangyao Chen,1,3,* Hengliang Liu1,2,* 1Clinical Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Cardiology, People’s Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450000, People’s Republic of China; 3Zhengzhou Institute of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450000, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hengliang Liu, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 33, Huanghe Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450000, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 0371-67077158, Email [email protected]: This study investigated the influence of plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) levels on the degree of atherosclerosis and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in older adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Methods: The degree of atherosclerosis severity was assessed by the standard Gensini score quartile method. According to the degree of atherosclerosis, patients were divided into mild (0– 24 points; n=84), moderate (25– 53 points; n=86), and severe groups (≥ 54 points; n=84) and then categorized as MACCE (n=30) or non-MACCE (n=224) according to 6-month follow-up data. The patients’ age, sex, smoking history, medical history, and early morning fasting venous blood, for measuring biochemical indexes, were collected. Clinical data were compared between groups and the relationship between Gensini scores and PCSK9 was evaluated.Results: Compared with the mild group, the moderate and severe groups had higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), PCSK9, triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] levels and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) levels (all P< 0.05). Moreover, PCSK9 positively correlated with Gensini scores (r=0.657, P< 0.01). The MACCE and non-MACCE groups had significantly different ages, statin use, Gensini scores, PCSK9, and LDL-C (all P< 0.05). Multi-factorial Cox risk regression analysis showed the Gensini score (HR=1.018, 95% CI: 1.006~1.029) and PCSK9 (HR=1.147, 95% CI: 1.038~1.287) were independent risk factors for MACCE.Conclusion: The Gensini score and PCSK9 levels can be used as predictive indicators for the degree of illness and occurrence of MACCE in older NAFLD patients.Keywords: older adults, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9, atherosclerosis, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events
