2023-08-08 19:02:37
New Blood Test Can Predict Risk of Mortality Within a Few Years, Study Finds
Scientists have made a startling discovery with the development of a blood test that can predict the risk of dying within a few years. The test measures the troponin level in the blood, a protein commonly used to rule out heart attacks in patients with chest pain. However, it is now believed that elevated troponin levels can indicate an increased risk of death from any cause, even in the absence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have long observed high troponin levels in hospitalized patients without heart problems, but the reason behind this phenomenon remained unclear. To investigate further, the researchers examined the data of 20,000 patients who had undergone a troponin blood test between June and August 2017. The patients, on average 61 years old, had no clinical reason for the test, and nearly half had not been hospitalized. Surprisingly, troponin levels were found to be high in 5.5 percent of the patients.
The study revealed that, within two years, those with elevated troponin levels were almost four times more likely to die compared to those with normal levels. Importantly, these deaths were not solely attributable to cardiovascular disease, as only 13 percent of the deceased patients suffered from heart conditions. Instead, almost half of the deaths were caused by cancer. The researchers accounted for age, sex, hospital location, and kidney function but discovered that an abnormally high troponin level was associated with a 76 percent higher risk of dying from any disease.
While the findings are intriguing, the study has its limitations. The data comes from a single hospital, and some relevant personal background information may have been unaccounted for. Additionally, the study only establishes a correlation and does not prove a causal relationship.
Nonetheless, the study raises the question of why troponin levels have such predictive value. The researchers propose that troponin may be produced in a range of health conditions, including undiagnosed diseases. In their paper, they state, “This study indicates that troponin is a more general health marker for mid-term prognosis and not just for heart attacks.”
The researchers intend to conduct further studies to validate their findings and explore potential interventions to reduce the increased risk associated with elevated troponin levels. One possible approach is re-testing patients after a year to determine whether troponin levels have normalized.
Troponin is a protein involved in muscle contraction and relaxation, found in almost all muscles, including the heart muscle. When heart muscle cells are damaged, such as in the case of a heart attack, troponin leaks into the blood. Its measurement is crucial in determining whether someone has experienced a heart attack, as elevated troponin levels can already be detected within two hours of an episode.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking study establishes the potential for troponin as a predictive marker of mortality risk within a few years. Although further research is needed, the findings hold promise for the development of interventions to reduce this heightened risk and promote overall health.]
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