Edinburgh Napier University

  Background/Introduction
Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents a global health challenge, with a rising prevalence and substantial impact on patients' quality of life and healthcare resources. The identification of reliable biomarkers and risk factors for CHF is of paramount importance for early diagnosis and effective management. Among the biomarkers, natriuretic peptides, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), have emerged as indispensable tools in the assessment of cardiac function and the severity of CHF.
Purpose
To determine the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and body mass index in patients with chronic heart failure
Methods
A systematic review was conducted of studies that included adults with a confirmed diagnosis of CHF, where BNP or NT-proBNP were measured and where there was a reference to comparison with body mass index.
Results
22 papers published between 2004 to 2021 were included for analysis representing 28,518 participants; 61.8% were male. The studies reported populations including Caucasian/White, European American, African American and Black patients; however over two-thirds of the studies (68%), did not report the race of the participants. Significant heterogeneity in terms of the population, intervention, comparisons, and outcomes prohibited meta-analysis.
The majority of studies included in this review reported an inverse relationship between BMI and natriuretic peptide (NP) levels in CHF patients, demonstrating that CHF patients with higher BMIs tend to have lower levels of BNP and NT-proBNP when compared to their lean counterparts. This suggests that BMI is an important factor to consider when assessing these biomarkers levels in CHF patients.
Conclusion
This review highlights the interplay between BMI and NPs however the clinical implication of this finding requires further investigation. Understanding the nuances of this association may provide an opportunity to further tailor approaches the diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment in this population.