Age, inflammation, alkaline phosphatase, and coronary artery calcification in firefighters

Abstract

Background: Firefighting involves exposure to hazardous conditions that may contribute to adverse long term health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. While coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity among firefighters, the specific occupational contributions to Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC), a reliable predictor of CAD, are not well understood. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 410 firefighters, aged 35-68, who underwent comprehensive health assessments, including CAC measurement using computed tomography. Multiple logistic regression models were built to examine the associations of demographic, lifestyle, and clinical variables with CAC score. Results: Our analysis revealed statistically significant associations between several clinical indicators and CAC score. Age (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): [1.05, 1.19]) and percentage of monocytes (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: [1.06, 1.58]) were positively correlated with higher CAC score, highlighting the role of inflammation in CAD among firefighters. Moreover, the enzyme alkaline phosphatase emerged as an independent predictor of CAC score (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: [1.01, 1.04]), suggesting a novel biomarker of cardiovascular risk in this population. Conclusion: Our study identified several risk factors associated with increased CAC score in firefighters, including age, inflammation, and alkaline phosphatase. These findings underscore the importance of tailored health monitoring and interventions to mitigate CAD risk in firefighters, considering both general and occupation-specific risk factors. This study contributes to a better understanding of the occupational health challenges faced by firefighters and provides a foundation for future research and preventive strategies in this high-risk group.