Association of interleukin-6 and interleukin-18 with cardiovascular disease in older adults: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study
Authors' conclusion
Among older adults, both IL-6 and IL-18 were associated with global CVD and death. The association between IL-6 with CVD appears to be more robust and was independent of hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, and hs-TnT.
Study context
- Population
- Older adults, ARIC Visit 5 (mean age 75.4 ± 5.1 years)
- Participants
- 5,672 adults
- Exposure
- Higher vs lower IL-6 and IL-18 levels
- Outcome
- Global CVD:
- CHD
- Stroke
- HF
- Follow-up
- Median 7.2 years
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Global CVD
Hazard ratio (95% CI)
IL-6per log unit increase; adjusted for CV risk factors
1.57(1.44–1.72)
IL-18adjusted for CV risk factors
1.13(1.01–1.26)
Per log unit increase, as printed
- Global cardiovascular disease (CVD) events
- 1235
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF)
- AF events
- 530
- IL-6 associated with increased risk of CHD, HF and AF after adjustment for covariates
All-cause death
- Deaths
- 1173
- IL-6 and IL-18 associated with increased risk, independent of CV risk factors and other biomarkers
Original publication
Association of interleukin-6 and interleukin-18 with cardiovascular disease in older adults: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 12 June 2023. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it