[Plasma amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level and affecting factors in a community-based healthy Chinese population].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the plasma level of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and related influencing factors in a community-based healthy population in Beijing area. METHODS: We measured plasma NT-proBNP level by fluoroimmunoassay between March 2012 and July 2012 from 1 034 healthy subjects (including 486 men and 548 women). Empiric method was used to determine the reference value and influencing factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Age and gender are important factors affecting the level of NT-proBNP in healthy subjects. NT-proBNP plasma level is significantly higher in women than in men within each age strata below 75 years old, i.e. < 45, 45-54, 55-64 and 65-74 years old (P = 0.005, 0.001, 0.001, 0.011 respectively), but NT-proBNP plasma level is similar between male and female older than 75 years (P = 0.504). NT-proBNP level also increases with age irrespective of gender. Body mass index (BMI) is another independent influencing factor of NT-proBNP (P < 0.001), while estimated glomerular filtration rate is not influencing factor. The reference range of NT-proBNP is < 133 ng/L for men and < 289 ng/L for women aged < 55 years old, < 185 ng/L for men and < 333 ng/L for women aged between 55 and 64 years old, and < 465 ng/L for men and < 378 ng/L for women aged ≥ 75 years old. CONCLUSION: The major influencing factors of NT-proBNP level in the healthy population are age, gender and BMI. It essential to establish normal reference range of NT-proBNP according to these factors for Chinese population.