Lymphocyte cell counts in middle age are positively associated with subsequent all-cause and cardiovascular mortality

Phillips, A.C., Carroll, D., Gale, C. R., Drayson, M. and Batty, G.D. (2011) Lymphocyte cell counts in middle age are positively associated with subsequent all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 104(4), pp. 319-324. (doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hcq199)

Abstract

Aims: The present study examined the association between T-, CD4-, CD8- and B-cell numbers, and the CD4:CD8 ratio, and all-cause and CVD mortality. Methods: Lymphocyte and lymphocyte subset numbers were measured by flow cytometry in a cohort of 4256 male middle-aged Vietnam-era US veterans. Mortality was tracked for 15 years and cause of death was determined from death certificates. Results: In fully adjusted survival analyses, high circulating T-cells numbers were associated with increased risk of both all-cause [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.66] and cardiovascular (HR = 3.57, 95% CI 1.53-8.33) mortality. The former association appeared to reflect an effect for high CD8-cells numbers, the latter an effect for high CD4-cell numbers. For all-cause mortality, a high CD4:CD8 ratio was protective (HR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.41-0.81). Cardiovascular mortality was also predicted by high B-cells numbers (HR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.10-3.17). Conclusion: Circulating lymphocyte and lymphocyte subset numbers may have substantial prognostic significance for both all-cause and CVD mortality

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Batty, Dr G
• Authors: Phillips, A.C., Carroll, D., Gale, C. R., Drayson, M., and Batty, G.D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: QJM: An International Journal of Medicine
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1460-2725