Leukocyte Counts and Coronary Heart Disease in a Japanese Cohort

Abstract

Coronary heart disease incidence during 1958-1974, in a cohort of Hiroshima and Nagasaki residents, was found to relate significantly (p = 0.01) to total leukocyte count, taken an average of two years earlier. Relative risks, as a function of leukocyte count, did not appear to depend on sex or cigarette smoking status, but may be larger for subjects less than 65 years of age than for older persons. This study examines, for the first time, differential leukocyte counts and percentages in relation to coronary heart disease incidence. Both neutrophil count and eosinophil count significantly relate to coronary heart disease incidence, while there is also a suggestion for a relationship with monocyte count. A possible immunopathologic basis for such associations is mentioned. It will be important for other studies to confirm these relationships, however, as the present data do not allow one to clearly show the relative risk, at a specified total leukocyte count, to depend on the differential leukocyte fractions. Available data also leave uncertainty concerning the "independence" of leukocyte counts in the specification of coronary heart disease risk, relative to such known risk factors as cigarette smoking habits and serum cholesterol levels.

Eosinophil count is positively correlated with coronary artery calcification

“…Previous epidemiologic and clinical studies have suggested increased eosinophil count as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. [10][11][12] In addition, Erdogan et al 13 reported a significant increase in the number of eosinophils in peripheral blood in patients with unstable angina pectoris compared with that in control subjects. However, to our knowledge this is the first report to investigate the relationship between eosinophil count and CAC, which suggests new avenues for research into the pathogenesis of CAC.…”

The association of total and differential white blood cell count with metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients

“…The utility of differential leukocyte counts as a risk marker has been evaluated in a number of studies [12][13][14]. However, it is still different among studies that which type of WBC is more important.…”

“…An increase in the count is closely correlated with advanced atherosclerosis [10], and the incidence and mortality rate of CVD [11]. Various types of inflammatory cells, including monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils, have been implicated in CHD [12][13][14]. Nevertheless, it is still different among studies that which type of WBCs is more important.…”

Eosinophils: a new player in coronary atherosclerotic disease

“…In the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Adult Health Study, 11 the total leukocyte count correlated positively with the incidence of coronary artery disease in a large population of individuals free of disease at baseline. When differential cell counts were considered, a correlation was found between a moderately elevated eosinophil count and an increased risk of disease, as well as between neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte (but not lymphocyte) counts and the incidence of disease.…”