Blood analysis biomarker "predicts mortality"
26 Feb 2014
The state of a person’s metabolism and short-term mortality can be illustrated with a new scientific blood analysis biomarker, according to research.
According to a study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), people who belong to a risk group based on the newly discovered biomarker concentrations are far more at risk of dying in the next five years compared to those outside of the risk group.
Mortality was related to four biomarkers in the blood: levels of two proteins (albumin and alpha-1 acidic glycoprotein), lipid metabolism variables (size of large lipoprotein particles responsible for lipid metabolism in the body)and citric acid concentration.
Such biomarkers relate to normal metabolism and are present in the blood of all people, but according to the study, their relative amounts are crucial.
The biomarkers were independent of known mortality risk factors such as age, smoking, alcohol use, cholesterol, obesity and blood pressure, the study suggests.
It is thought that the biomarker method, which is based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, could be used to identify increased risk of death at an early stage, so that people could be directed to appropriate follow-up examinations and treatment.
A full account of the study was published in the PLoS Medicine series on 25th February 2014.
