Researchers analyzed data from 9,169 subjects to compare serum resistin levels between people with heart disease and healthy controls. The study looked at stable coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndrome, and acute myocardial infarction. Results showed a progressive, stepwise increase in resistin levels as disease severity increased. The difference was smallest in stable disease and largest in acute heart attacks.
The analysis found substantial heterogeneity and evidence of publication bias. These factors likely inflate the observed effect sizes. Because of this uncertainty, the results should be viewed with caution. Resistin is not suitable as a standalone diagnostic tool for heart disease.
Readers should understand that this study shows an association only. It does not prove that resistin causes heart disease or that changing resistin levels will improve outcomes. The potential utility of resistin lies in multi-biomarker models for risk stratification rather than as a single test.