Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been reported to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, whether the combination of these two markers can improve the prediction of CVD is unknown.A total of 1,921 participants without CVD, aged 40 years or older, were enrolled from 2010 to 2011. Plasma Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP were measured at baseline. Participants were subsequently followed until December 2015. We identified a total of 148 cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause death). Cox proportional-hazard models were used to determine the association between two independent markers and cardiovascular outcomes. The C statistic, Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI), and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) were used to determine the utility of the two markers in predicting cardiovascular risk.After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with the first quartile, hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the third and fourth quartiles for Lp-PLA2 were 2.09 (1.17-3.73) and 2.62 (1.48-4.67), respectively, and HRs with 95%CI for the fourth quartile for hs-CRP was 1.78 (1.08-4.67). Compared with conventional risk factors, the combination of hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 provided greater incremental information, and the C statistic increased by 0.013. The NRI and IDI were also statistically significant for cardiovascular events (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively).Hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 have complementary effects in predicting cardiovascular outcomes in adults aged 40 years or older.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2.