Cohort Study | Infections requiring hospitalization linked to increased short- and long-term cardiovascular risks

Summary: The study examined the association between severe infections and the risk of cardiovascular disease in people without prior cardiovascular issues. Data from 331,683 UK Biobank participants and 271,533 Finnish participants were analyzed. Cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline, and infectious diseases and subsequent cardiovascular events were diagnosed through the linkage of participants to hospital and mortality registers.

Results showed that hospitalization for infection was associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events, regardless of the type of infection. The risk was highest during the first month after infection, with hazard ratios of 7.87 and 7.64 in the UK Biobank and Finnish cohorts, respectively. However, the risk remained elevated throughout the follow-up period, with hazard ratios of 1.47 in the UK Biobank and 1.41 in the Finnish cohort.

The study suggests that severe infections requiring hospital treatment are associated with increased risks for major cardiovascular disease events both immediately after hospitalization and in the long-term. However, it is important to note that residual confounding cannot be excluded, and further research is needed to establish causality.

Article: Severe Infection and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Multicohort Study – Circulation

Commentary: Severe Infections Linked to a Variety of CV Events, Both Acute and Long-term – TCTMD

Commentary on Twitter

#OriginalResearch: In this multicohort study, hospital-treated infections associated w/ significant increase in short-term risk and modest long-term risk of major CVD events. @MikaKivimaki @nellimarikki@PyrySipila #AHAJournals https://t.co/51JSJkS6l4 pic.twitter.com/U21U2IgYCO

— Circulation (@CircAHA) March 29, 2023