Table 2

Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression analyses between circulating biomarkers and TADmax (n=158)

Biomarker	Unadjusted analysis		Adjusted analysis: age and sex		Adjusted analysis: clinical model*
Biomarker	Mean difference (95% CI) in TADmax per doubling of the standardised biomarker	P value	Mean difference (95% CI) in TADmax per doubling of the standardised biomarker	P value	Mean difference (95% CI) in TADmax per doubling of the standardised biomarker	P value
MFAP4	−0.876 (−1.706 to −0.046)	0.039	−0.698 (−1.476 to 0.081)	0.079	−0.421 (−1.144 to 0.301)	0.251
FBN1	0.029 (−0.820 to 0.878)	0.946	−0.327 (−1.129 to 0.475)	0.422	−0.208 (−0.943 to 0.528)	0.577
PIIINP	0.465 (−0.385 to 1.315)	0.282	0.475 (−0.317 to 1.267)	0.238	0.284 (−0.446 to 1.013)	0.443
hsTnT	0.570 (−0.284 to 1.423)	0.189	−1.099 (−2.056 to −0.143)	0.025	−0.500 (−1.426 to 0.428)	0.289
NT-proBNP	0.145 (−0.788 to 1.077)	0.760	−0.514 (−1.422 to 0.393)	0.264	−0.127 (−0.981 to 0.726)	0.768
IL-6	1.148 (0.332 to 1.964)	0.006	0.635 (−0.158 to 1.427)	0.116	0.482 (−0.252 to 1.217)	0.197
hsCRP	−0.610 (−1.447 to 0.227)	0.152	−0.526 (−1.299 to 0.248)	0.181	−0.218 (−0.938 to 0.502)	0.550
GDF-15	1.007 (0.178 to 1.835)	0.018	0.022 (−0.876 to 0.920)	0.962	0.184 (−0.642 to 1.010)	0.661
Triglycerides	0.331 (−0.589 to 1.251)	0.478	0.363 (−0.496 to 1.221)	0.405	0.279 (−0.511 to 1.068)	0.486
Total cholesterol	0.569 (−0.320 to 1.458)	0.208	0.802 (−0.020 to 1.624)	0.056	1.098 (0.269 to 1.928)	0.010
HDL	0.225 (−0.683 to 1.133)	0.625	0.458 (−0.451 to 1.367)	0.321	0.337 (−0.504 to 1.177)	0.429
LDL	0.267 (−0.625 to 1.160)	0.554	0.440 (−0.378 to 1.258)	0.290	0.767 (−0.054 to 1.589)	0.067
Chol/HDL	0.173 (−0.733 to 1.079)	0.706	0.180 (−0.671 to 1.030)	0.677	0.346 (−0.451 to 1.143)	0.392
Homocysteine	0.423 (−0.418 to 1.264)	0.322	−0.075 (−0.869 to 0.719)	0.853	0.184 (−0.546 to 0.915)	0.619
Haemoglobin	0.422 (−0.521 to 1.365)	0.378	0.568 (−0.429 to 1.565)	0.262	0.478 (−0.438 to 1.394)	0.304
RDW	0.250 (−0.705 to 1.205)	0.606	−0.396 (−1.304 to 0.512)	0.390	−0.429 (−1.261 to 0.403)	0.310
TSH	0.664 (−0.389 to 1.718)	0.214	0.619 (−0.370 to 1.607)	0.217	0.544 (−0.336 to 1.423)	0.223
fT4	−0.203 (−1.280 to 0.874)	0.709	−0.197 (−1.207 to 0.814)	0.700	−0.070 (0.968 to 0.829)	0.878
T4	−0.879 (−1.949 to 0.191)	0.106	−0.496 (−1.519 to 0.526)	0.337	−0.015 (−0.927 to 0.897)	0.974
T3	−2.000 (−3.005 to −0.988)	<0.001	−1.740 (−2.751 to −0.729)	<0.001	−1.196 (−2.143 to −0.249)	0.014
Creatinine	1.118 (0.249 to 1.987)	0.012	0.158 (−0l831 to 1.147)	0.752	0.191 (−0.720 to 1.102)	0.679
eGFR	−1.569 (−2.407 to −0.731)	<0.001	−0.322 (−1.350 to 0.706)	0.537	−0.472 (−1.417 to 0.473)	0.325
Urea	0.554 (−0.344 to 1.452)	0.225	−0.498 (−1.400 to 0.401)	0.276	−0.311 (−1.152 to 0.530)	0.466

Estimates and corresponding 95% CI are derived from linear regression analysis with log2-transformed and standardised biomarkers as independent variables, that is, doubling of the standardised MFAP4 value results in a decrease of 0.876 mm in TADmax.
P values of <0.05 are depicted in bold.
*Adjusted for age, sex, hyperlipidaemia and hereditary thoracic aortic disease diagnosis.
eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; FBN1, human fibrillin-1; fT4, free thyroxine; GDF-15, growth differentiation factor-15; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C reactive protein; hsTnT, high-sensitivity troponin T; IL-6, interleukin-6; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; MFAP4, microfibrillar-associated protein 4; NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide; PIIINP, procollagen III N-terminal propeptide; RDW, red cell distribution width; T3, triiodothyronine; T4, thyroxine; TADmax, maximal thoracic aortic diameter; TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone.