Association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and future cardiovascular incidence in a general Japanese population: Results from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project.

PURPOSE: Elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study determined whether hs-cTnT was detectable with N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and related to CV risk factors in a general Japanese population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization pooled individual participant data for a population-based cohort study in the Iwate prefecture (n = 30,193, age =60.2 ± 11.5 y).

RESULTS: Hs-cTnT levels were higher in participants with hypertension, diabetes mellitus than in participants without these conditions (all Ps <0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that NT-proBNP was strongly associated with elevation of hs-cTnT (OR =3.35, 95% CI =2.90-3.89, P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that hs-cTnT was one of useful biomarker for the differentiation of high risk for CVD (the Suita score ≥56) from a general population. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated hs-cTnT levels were related to the CVD high risk group (OR =2.67, 95% CI =2.28-3.14, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Hs-cTnT levels are associated with elevation of NT-proBNP and high Suita score, which suggests that elevated hs-cTnT is related to subclinical myocardial damage and indicates CV risk.