Association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and fall-related hospitalization in women aged over 70 years

Authors

Abadi K. Gebre, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Marc Sim, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Jack Dalla Via, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Cassandra Smith, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Alexander J. Rodríguez
Jonathan M. Hodgson, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Catherine P. Bondonno, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Wai Lim
Elizabeth Byrnes
Peter R. Thompson
Richard L. Prince, Edith Cowan University
Joshua R. Lewis, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Heart

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences / Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute

RAS ID

58294

Comments

Gebre, A. K., Sim, M., Dalla Via, J., Smith, C., Rodriguez, A. J., Hodgson, J. M., . . . Lewis, J. R. (2023). Association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and fall-related hospitalisation in women aged over 70 years. Heart, 110(2), 104-118. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2023-322861

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), a biomarker of myocardial injury, muscle function decline and 14.5-year fall-related hospitalisation risk in women aged over 70 years. Methods: 1179 ambulatory community-dwelling women aged over 70 years with subclinical levels of hs-cTnI (ie, < 15.6 ng/L), who were followed up for 14.5 years, were included. Samples for hs-cTnI were obtained in 1998. Fall-related hospitalisations were retrieved from linked health records. Muscle function measures, including handgrip strength and the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test, were assessed in 1998 and 2003. Results: Mean±SD age was 75.2±2.7 years. Over 14.5 years of follow-up, 40.4% (476 of 1179) experienced fall-related hospitalisation. Participants were categorised into four approximate hs-cTnI quartiles: quartile 1 ( < 3.6 ng/L), quartile 2 (3.6–4.4 ng/L), quartile 3 (4.5–5.8 ng/L) and quartile 4 ( ≥ 5.9 ng/L). Compared with those in Q1, women in Q4 were likely to experience fall-related hospitalisation (36.0% vs 42.8%). In a multivariable-adjusted model that accounted for CVD and fall risk factors, compared with women in Q1, those in Q4 had a 46% higher risk of fall-related hospitalisation (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.98). Additionally, women in Q4 had slower TUG performance compared with those in Q1 (10.3 s vs 9.5 s, p=0.032). Conclusion: Elevated level of hs-cTnI was associated with slower TUG performance and increased fall-related hospitalisation risk. This indicates subclinical level of hs-cTnI can identify clinically relevant falls, emphasising the need to consider cardiac health during fall assessment in women aged over 70 years.

Related Publications

Gebre, A. K. (2023). Cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal health and falls: Exploring the nexus. Edith Cowan University. http://dx.doi.org/10.25958/SHNN-PS46

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