To examine the association between ANGPTL4 and coronary artery calcification (CAC) and develop a nomogram for predicting the risk of severe CAC, highlighting its significance in cardiovascular health.
Key Findings:
Serum ANGPTL4 levels were significantly higher in patients with severe CAC compared to those with non-severe CAC (p = 0.007).
ANGPTL4 levels were positively associated with CAC severity, independent of other clinical risk factors.
The predictive model for severe CAC included age, smoking status, statin use, HbA1c, serum phosphate, and ANGPTL4, demonstrating an AUC of 0.708 (95% CI: 0.649–0.767), indicating acceptable discriminatory ability.
Interpretation:
ANGPTL4 is independently associated with severe CAC, indicating its potential as a biomarker and treatment target for vascular calcification, with implications for clinical practice.
Limitations:
The study was conducted at a single center, which may limit generalizability and introduce potential biases.
The cross-sectional design does not establish causality between ANGPTL4 levels and CAC, and confounding factors may not be fully accounted for.
Conclusion:
ANGPTL4 could serve as a candidate biomarker for predicting severe CAC, aiding in the identification of high-risk individuals and enhancing clinical decision-making.
