Abstract
BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We defined various noncardiovascular and noncancer conditions, both infectious and noninfectious, with a common basis of inflammation, collectively termed chronic inflammatory-related disease (ChrIRD). We describe ChrIRD and its interplay with CVD during follow-up in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe ChrIRD, its associations with CVD, and its association with mortality. METHODS: Participants were free of overt CVD at baseline with median 17.9 (Q1-Q3: 14.9-18.6) years of follow-up. ChrIRD was determined by review of hospitalization and death records of International Classification of Diseases codes. CVD diagnosis was adjudicated based on medical records. We performed time-dependent proportional hazard regressions to identify risks related to ChrIRD or CVD events. RESULTS: MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) participants (n = 6,791) had a mean age of 62 ± 10 years, with 47% (3,201/6,791) men, 39% (2,617/6,791) White, 28% (1,882/6,791) Black, 22% (1,489/6,791) Hispanic, and 12% (803/6,791) Chinese race/ethnicity. ChrIRD was observed in 29% (1,965/6,791) and CVD in 21% (1,420/6,791); including 11% (761/6,791) with both conditions. Mortality after ChrIRD only was 47% (567/1,204; 95% CI: 44%-49%); after CVD only was 45% (300/659; 95% CI: 41%-49%); and after both conditions was 67% (510/761; 95% CI: 63%-70%). CVD was associated with increased risk of ChrIRD (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.23-1.77) and ChrIRD was associated with increased risk of CVD (HR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.97-2.52). Baseline inflammatory markers predicted both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: ChrIRD is common, present in all organ systems, and is associated with significant mortality, particularly in combination with CVD. The association between CVD and ChrIRD is bidirectional, and baseline inflammatory markers are associated with ChrIRD and CVD.