# Bootstrap-Augmented Analysis of Non-Linear Associations Between Glucose, hsCRP, and First Myocardial Infarction in a Cardiovascular Population

**Authors:** Joanna Kostanek, Kamil Karolczak, Wiktor Kuliczkowski, Cezary Watala

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27042025 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-02-20

## TL;DR

The study finds that glucose and hsCRP levels have non-linear relationships with first heart attacks in cardiovascular patients.

## Contribution

A bootstrap-augmented approach reveals non-linear associations between glucose, hsCRP, and first MI events.

## Key findings

- Glucose and hsCRP levels show the strongest discrimination between MI(+) and MI(−) groups.
- Non-linear associations are most pronounced in lower and intermediate quartiles of these variables.
- Bootstrap validation confirms the stability of these non-linear effects.

## Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the most severe acute cardiac events, despite significant progress in diagnostics and therapy. Early identification of patients at risk within the broader cardiovascular disease (CVD) population is crucial for prevention and management. This study aimed to characterize the nonlinear distributions of glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients experiencing their first MI compared with individuals hospitalized for other CVD conditions, using a bootstrap-augmented analytical approach. This retrospective study included 743 adults with confirmed CVD. Biochemical variables, including lipid profile, glucose, hsCRP, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were analyzed in relation to the occurrence of MI. Statistical analyses were supported by bootstrap-based validation to ensure the robustness of findings. Among the examined variables, serum glucose and hsCRP levels showed the strongest ability in discriminating MI(+) and MI(−) groups. Both variables exhibited complex, non-linear associations with the occurrence of MI, with the most pronounced differences observed in the lower and intermediate quartiles. Bootstrap-supported analyses confirmed the stability of these effects. In CVD patients, both blood glucose and hsCRP levels display non-linear relationships with the first occurrence of MI. The strongest distinctions between MI(+) and MI(−) groups were found at moderate concentrations of these variables, emphasizing the need for cautious interpretation and highlighting their role in characterizing biochemical patterns in MI(+) and MI(−) patients.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** glucose (PubChem CID 5793)
- **Diseases:** myocardial infarction (MONDO:0005068), cardiovascular disease (MONDO:0004995)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** NOS3 (nitric oxide synthase 3) [NCBI Gene 4846] {aka EC-NOS, ECNOS, MYMY8, NOSIII, cNOS, eNOS}, CRP (C-reactive protein) [NCBI Gene 1401] {aka PTX1}
- **Diseases:** atherosclerotic plaques (MESH:D058226), myocardial damage (MESH:D009202), cardiac conditions (MESH:D006331), STEMI (MESH:D000072657), infarct (MESH:D007238), heart failure (MESH:D006333), renal dysfunction (MESH:D007674), NSTEMI (MESH:D000072658), impaired glucose homeostasis (MESH:D044882), coronary artery occlusion (MESH:D054059), insulin resistance (MESH:D007333), MI (MESH:D009203), CVD (MESH:D002318), diabetes (MESH:D003920), ischemic (MESH:D002545), endothelial dysfunction (MESH:D014652), dyslipidemia (MESH:D050171), death (MESH:D003643), Dysfunctions in lipid (MESH:D052439), acute coronary syndromes (MESH:D054058), atherosclerosis (MESH:D050197), injury to (MESH:D014947), inflammation (MESH:D007249), hyperglycemia (MESH:D006943), cardiometabolic disorders (MESH:D024821)
- **Chemicals:** Glucose (MESH:D005947), cholesterol (MESH:D002784), blood glucose (MESH:D001786), ROS (MESH:D017382), lipid (MESH:D008055), TG (MESH:D014280), carbohydrate (MESH:D002241), EDTA (MESH:D004492), silica (MESH:D012822), HDL cholesterol (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941044/full.md

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941044/full.md

## References

43 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941044/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941044