Introduction

Coronary atherosclerotic disease and its associated complications are substantial contributors to global mortality and disability [1]. Traditional diagnostic modalities for CAD evaluation include invasive techniques such as selective CAG intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography, all of which are invasive and incur significant costs, thereby constraining their clinical utility [1, 2]. Consequently, there is an urgent need for a practical, low-risk, and cost-effective approach for predicting the occurrence and progression of CAD, as well as for assessing the extent of coronary artery lesions, given the pronounced clinical significance of this pursuit. SFRP5 is a member of the secretory glycoprotein SFRP family that is involved in both insulin resistance and inflammation [3]. Remarkably, SFRP5 exhibits cardioprotective properties, making it a promising candidate as an innovative biomarker for prognosticating the progression of cardiovascular disease [

Study strengths and limitations

This study presents novel findings on the correlation between serum SFRP5 levels and the TyG index in patients. It explores the variances in serum SFRP5 levels and the TyG index across different subgroups of CAD while investigating their association with coronary stenosis. The findings propose that the measurement of serum SFRP5 levels and the TyG index holds promise as potential markers to predict the occurrence and progression in patients with CAD, as well as evaluate coronary disease.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the limitations inherent in this clinical study. First, the study adopts a cross-sectional study conducted at a single center, which introduces potential bias. Furthermore, the limited sample size undermines the robustness of the results. Additionally, the absence of longer-term follow-up data on adverse cardiovascular events in CAD patients hampers our ability to conduct long-term prognosis assessments. Moreover, it is crucial to explore the underlying mechanisms of SFRP5 in regulating the progression of coronary heart disease. Comprehensive animal experiments are essential to provide insights into these mechanisms.

Consequently, it is necessary to conduct large-scale, multicenter, prospective studies, along with additional animal experiments, to validate the diagnostic, severity, and prognostic significance of SFRP5 and the TyG index in relation to CAD.

Conclusion

This study has elucidated the critical association between serum SFRP5 levels and the TyG index and their pivotal roles in CAD. Through rigorous analysis, it was demonstrated that while higher levels of serum SFRP5 act as a protective factor, a higher TyG index is associated with an increased risk of CAD. The combined assessment of serum SFRP5 levels and the TyG index has been shown to enhance the predictive accuracy for CAD, surpassing the performance of each biomarker used independently. From a clinical perspective, this integrated approach ensures a more reliable and precise identification of at-risk patients. This facilitates timely and targeted interventions and aids clinicians in stratifying patients based on their risk, leading to a reduction in the incidence of MACEs. Future clinical practices may consider incorporating serum SFRP5 levels and the TyG index as standard elements of CAD risk assessment and management, ensuring that every patient receives the most informed and effective care possible.