Advanced Statistical Methods for Analyzing Heart Disease Risk Based on Blood Fatty Acids

Author

• James V. Pottala

Document Type

Dissertation - University Access Only

Award Date

2012

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Mathematics and Statistics

First Advisor

Gemechis Djira

Abstract

Medical research routinely uses blood samples, which are noninvasive, easily processed, and can be stored in a -80°C freezer for decades without degrading. Fatty acids are the building blocks for over 500 complex lipids, which are transported to tissue throughout the body by means of lipoproteins. Fatty acids can be measured in eight different blood compounds, by relative or absolute amounts, and national lab standardization does not exist. Despite all of these challenges, weight % of red blood cell (RBC) phospholipids is emerging as the preferred laboratory method for measuring fatty acids. In patients with stable coronary heart disease, higher baseline blood levels of Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids were associated with greater than a one-year increase in survival time, and a 27% decreased risk of death. These findings were independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, serum lipids, and of inflammatory markers. The explained inter-individual variability in RBC EPA+DHA levels is influenced by dietary intake (40%) and genetic heritability ( 24%). Short term storage (