The health outcomes of inflammation and obesity in patients with heart failure

Zyad T. Saleh, Terry A. Lennie, Muhammad Darawad, Hamza Alduraidi, Rami A. Elshatarat, Issa M. Almansour, Debra K. Moser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Although obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, higher body mass index is related to longer event-free survival in patients with heart failure (HF). While previous research demonstrated that higher levels of inflammatory mediators were associated with shorter event-free survival, the effect of inflammation on the association between obesity and outcomes of HF have not been considered. Hypothesis: Based on the obesity paradox, we hypothesized that patients with higher baseline body mass index (BMI) would experience better event-free survival than those with lower BMI regardless of inflammatory status. Method: A sample of 415 patients with HF (age 61 ± 11.5 years; 31% female) provided blood to measure soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor1 (sTNFR1), a biomarker of inflammation. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on BMI and a median split of sTNFR1 levels: (1) high BMI ≥ 30 and sTNFR1 > 1804 pg/ml, (2) high BMI ≥ 30 and low sTNFR1 ≤ 1804 pg/ml, and (3) low BMI < 30 and high sTNFR1 > 1804 pg/ml vs. (4) low BMI < 30 and sTNFR1 ≤ 1804 pg/ml. Patients were followed for an average of 365 days to determine the time to first event of either all-cause hospitalization or death. Results: There were 177 patients (43%) who experienced either an all-cause hospitalization or death. In a Cox regression, high BMI and high sTNFR1 category predicted time to event (hazard ratio = 1.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–2.9) with age, gender, race, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class (I/II versus III/IV), log-transformed N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, prescribed statin (yes/no), and comorbidity as covariates. Conclusion: Being in a higher inflammation group was associated with shorter event-free survival regardless of BMI. This study provides evidence that inflammation is an important consideration in the association between obesity and better outcomes in patients with HF.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)896-901
Number of pages6
JournalHeart and Lung
Volume49
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by National Institute of Nursing Research NIH RO1NR009280 , National Institute of Nursing Research NIH P20NR0106791 , American Heart Association, Great Rivers Affiliate Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Center for Research Resources , NIH UL1 RR025008 , National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences , NIH UL1TR000117 , General Clinical Research Centers NIH: Indiana University M01RR000750 , Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Clarian Health Partners (Indiana).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Health outcome
  • Heart failure
  • Inflammation
  • Obesity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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