Predictive Value of Betatrophin for Determining the Cardiovascular Risks of Obese Individuals.

OBJECTIVE To determine cardiovascular risk factors, calculate cardiovascular risk, and the value of betatrophin, a novel biomarker in predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in obese individuals. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional and descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY  University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Turkey, from August to November 2019. METHODOLOGY  Three hundred and sixty-three patients sociodemographic information was obtained, anthropometric measurements were made, and routine laboratory examinations were taken for obesity. In addition, betatrophin was studied from the samples collected and stored under appropriate conditions. The risk of CVD development in the patients was calculated using Framingham and PRCAE risk calculation systems. RESULTS The median betatrophin level of the participants was 745.8 (636.3-935.7) ng/L. A significant relationship was found between Framingham sub-risk groups and betatrophin level (p=0.049). Moreover, a significant relationship was also found, especially between the medium-risk group and the high-risk group (p=0.029). A significant correlation was found between the triglyceride and the betatrophin levels (p=0.001, r=-0.166). No relation was found between betatrophin level and risk score in the PRCAE sub-risk groups. CONCLUSION Its significant relationship with the risk groups determined by the Framingham scoring system and triglyceride level is promising for betatrophin to be used as a new biomarker in predicting the CVD risk. Key Words: Betatrophin, Framingham score, Cardiovascular disease, Obesity, Risk.