Biomarker Classification, Risk Profiles and Mortality in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III

Sarinnapha Vasunilashorn, University of Southern California
Latrica E. Best, University of Southern California

Several studies have investigated the relationship between biomarkers and various health outcomes; however, the relationships among individual biomarkers and their high-risk profile classifications between individuals have received less attention. This study examines the relationship between individual biomarkers, their inter-individual classification, and their relationship to 6-year mortality. Adults age 45 and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994) (N=6947) with linked mortality data were included. Factor analysis indicated three factor groups for the 10 commonly investigated biomarkers examined: Metabolic, Inflammatory, and Cardiovascular factors. Latent class profiles for men and women categorized individuals based on: high inflammation, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and no high-risk; however, men had an additional latent class profile of having both high inflammation and high cholesterol. Compared to their respective no high-risk class, both men and women with high inflammatory profiles had an increased risk of 6-year mortality.