Change in Leukocyte Telomere Length Predicts Mortality in Patients with Stable Coronary Heart Disease from the Heart and Soul Study

PLoS One. 2016 Oct 26;11(10):e0160748. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160748. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Background: Short telomere length independently predicts mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Whether 5-year change in telomere length predicts subsequent mortality in patients with coronary heart disease has not been evaluated.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study of 608 individuals with stable coronary artery disease, we measured leukocyte telomere length at baseline and after five years of follow-up. We divided the sample into tertiles of telomere change: shortened, maintained or lengthened. We used Cox survival models to evaluate 5-year change in telomere length as a predictor of mortality.

Results: During an average of 4.2 years follow-up, there were 149 deaths. Change in telomere length was inversely predictive of all-cause mortality. Using the continuous variable of telomere length change, each standard deviation (325 base pair) greater increase in telomere length was associated with a 24% reduction in mortality (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.94; p = 0.01), adjusted for age, sex, waist to hip ratio, exercise capacity, LV ejection fraction, serum creatinine, and year 5 telomere length. Mortality occurred in 39% (79/203) of patients who experienced telomere shortening, 22% (45/203) of patients whose telomere length was maintained, and 12% (25/202) of patients who experienced telomere lengthening (p<0.001). As compared with patients whose telomere length was maintained, those who experienced telomere lengthening were 56% less likely to die (HR 0.44, 95% CI, 0.23-0.87).

Conclusions: In patients with coronary heart disease, an increase in leukocyte telomere length over 5 years is associated with decreased mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Coronary Artery Disease / mortality*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / psychology
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Telomere / metabolism*
  • Telomere Shortening
  • Ventricular Function, Left
  • Waist-Hip Ratio

Substances

  • Creatinine