Cross-sectional association between log NT-pro-BNP and demographic and disease related factors measured at baseline n=960
| Variable | Log NT-pro-BNP* β-Coefficient (95% CI) Adj A&G† | Log NT-pro-BNP* β-Coefficient (95% CI) Stepwise regression‡ |
|---|---|---|
| Age (per year) | 0.035 (0.031 to 0.039) | 0.025 (0.020 to 0.030) |
| Female (Y/N) | 0.211 (0.085 to 0.336) | – |
| ACR 1987 criteria (Y/N) | 0.061 (−0.060 to 0.182) | |
| RF/ACPA (Y/N) | 0.009 (−0.111 to 0.129) | |
| HAQ score (per unit) | 0.119 (0.036 to 0.201) | 0.250 (0.149 to 0.351) |
| DAS28CRP (per unit) | −0.024 (−0.089 to 0.041) | |
| Swollen joints (/28) (per joint) | 0.008 (−0.005 to 0.020) | |
| Tender joints (/28) (per joint) | −0.009 (−0.018 to −0.0004) | −0.021 (−0.032 to −0.010) |
| CRP (per mg/l) | 0.003 (0.001 to 0.004) | 0.002 (0.001 to 0.004) |
| Symptom duration (per month) | −0.009 (−0.020 to 0.002) | |
| DMARDs/steroids (Y/N) | 0.045 (−0.079 to 0.169) | |
| Duration of DMARD/steroid therapy (per month) | 0.002 (−0.004 to 0.008) | |
| Hypertension | 0.282 (0.128 to 0.436) | 0.196 (0.017 to 0.375) |
| BMI (per kg/m2) | −0.020 (−0.031 to −0.008) | −0.019 (−0.032 to −0.006) |
| Diabetes (Y/N) | 0.011 (−0.020 to 0.222) | |
| Current smoker (vs never smokers) | 0.087 (−0.068 to 0.241) | |
| Previous smoker (vs never smokers) | 0.198 (0.021 to 0.376) | – |
| Prior CVD (Y/N) | 0.175 (0.014 to 0.337) | 0.245 (0.059 to 0.431) |
| Statin therapy (Y/N) | 0.022 (−0.462 to 0.507) |
*Log NT-pro-BNP, NT-pro-BNP levels that have been log transformed.
†Linear regression models adjusted for age and gender.
‡Stepwise regression includes age, gender, HAQ score, tender joint count, CRP, hypertension, BMI, smoking status and prior CVD in the entire cohort.
ACPA, antibodies to citrullinated protein antigens; ACR, American College for Rheumatology; BMI, body mass index; CRP, C reactive protein; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DAS28, disease activity score based on 28 joint count; DMARD, disease modifying antirheumatic drug; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; NA, not applicable; NT-pro-BNP, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide; RF, rheumatoid factor.