Predictors of leptin concentration and association with cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease: results from the AtheroGene study

CONTEXT: Leptin is produced in white adipose tissue, but also in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic value of leptin in patients with proven coronary artery disease (CAD) (N = 1907).

METHODS: AtheroGene is a contemporary CAD cohort study (N = 3229). Median follow-up time was 3.8 (Quartile 1/3 with 2.8/4.9) years.

RESULTS: Leptin concentration was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) for the fully adjusted model of HR = 1.32 in women but was not significant in men. The endpoint cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction was observed in 167 patients.

CONCLUSION: In women with known CAD, increased leptin concentration is useful for predicting cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction.