Inflammation Marker Signifies Increased Mortality Risk, Finds New Study in PLOS ONE

Ten-fold increase in death risk in individuals with high levels of myeloperoxidase, or MPO, compared to those with low levels, according to analysis of 3,700 patients of MDVIP tested by Quest Diagnostics

SECAUCUS, N.J., and BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The higher the level of a marker of inflammation in circulating blood, the greater the risk of dying from a range of medical disorders, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. The analysis is the first to demonstrate that lowering levels of myeloperoxidase, or MPO, a marker of chronic inflammation traditionally associated with heart disease, may help provide insight into an individual's mortality risks from a range of diseases beyond heart disease. With these insights, individuals with their healthcare providers may be able to take more aggressive actions to lower personal risk.

Researchers from Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), MDVIP and Harvard Medical School conducted the analysis. It is based on de-identified clinical MPO laboratory data from testing provided by the Quest Cardiometabolic Center of Excellence at Cleveland HeartLab in Ohio on 3,700 patients under the care of MDVIP-affiliated physicians. As part of the MDVIP Annual Wellness Program, physicians provide their patients MPO screening based on a Quest MPO blood test.

"This study provides strong evidence that not only does a high MPO level signify heightened mortality risk from a range of diseases, but that lowering an MPO level reflects a reduction in that risk," said lead author Marc S. Penn, MD, PhD, FACC, co-author of the study and Medical Director for the Quest Cardiometabolic Center of Excellence at Cleveland HeartLab, as well as physician at Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute. "This finding raises the prospect MPO can help identify individuals at significantly elevated risk for death, so physicians can direct more aggressive care to patients who may benefit as compared to those of lower risk."

White blood cells (called neutrophils) help the body fight infections and heal injuries through a process that involves a limited and local inflammatory response. When inflammation turns chronic, white blood cell activation may trigger adverse changes in the body. One of these changes is the activation of the white blood cells that then release MPO into the blood stream.

Risk of Death Nearly 10 Times Higher in Individuals with Highest MPO vs. Lowest MPO Scores After Five Years

For the study, the researchers randomly selected 3,700 patients enrolled in MDVIP (mean age 66.5 years, 65% female), with data on age, sex and serial laboratory results from 2011 through 2015 for MPO and several other laboratory markers, including low-density cholesterol (LDL) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a diabetes marker. The team also included information on incidence and dates of major acute cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction ("heart attack") and stroke, as well as date and cause of death. Compared to other studies, the population was relatively low risk, with a prior myocardial infarction rate of 2.4%. 

The analysis utilized medically recognized cutoffs for MPO levels of low (

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