Prakriti elucidates the inter-individual variability in coronary artery disease risk-predicting biomarkers: A tertiary care hospital-based case control study

• Published in: Journal of ayurveda and integrative medicine Vol. 16; no. 5; p. 101178
• Main Authors: Dua, Pamila, Prasher, Bhavana, Seth, Sandeep, Pandey, Shivam, Maulik, Subir Kumar, Reeta, K.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier B.V 01.09.2025; Elsevier
• Subjects: Ayurveda; Biomarkers; Coronary artery disease; Phenotype; Prakriti; Biomarkers; Phenotype; Ayurveda; Prakriti; Coronary artery disease
• ISSN: 0975-9476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101178

Several biochemical tests and biomarkers are well-known for the assessment of risk towards coronary artery disease (CAD). However, conflicting results pose a significant challenge probably due to phenotypic heterogeneity. In Ayurveda, individuals are classified into phenotypes- Prakriti, which helps in predicting an individual's susceptibility to disease, its prognosis and selection of therapy. In the present study, an attempt was made to overcome this challenge with an aim to identify the association between different constitution types as mentioned in Ayurveda with biochemical markers for precisely predicting the risks for CAD. 200 clinically stable CAD patients and 100 healthy controls were recruited from the Cardiology OPD, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. A comprehensive set of tests to incorporate various aspects of CAD pathophysiology was performed. Assessment of Prakriti was done clinically and with AI/ML algorithm based validated questionnaire. The monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), fasting blood sugar, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and NT-pro BNP were significantly higher in CAD patients as compared to healthy controls. Prakriti stratification revealed maximum number of patients with Kapha Prakriti. MLR and IL-6 (associated with inflammatory and peripheral endothelial dysfunction) were high in Vata patients; diabetic control (associated with plaque instability and malfunctioned RAAS) was poor in Kapha patients and NT-pro BNP (associated with myocardial hypoxia) was higher in Pitta patients. Though, several biochemical parameters were associated with risks for CAD, Prakriti classification provided more insights into the precise risks. This dual approach may help in guiding personalized treatment options in CAD management. •Several biochemical tests and biomarkers exist for risk assessment of CAD.•Conflicting results pose a significant challenge due to phenotypic heterogeneity.•In Ayurveda, Prakriti may help predict an individual's susceptibility to disease.•200 CAD patients & 100 healthy controls underwent dual approach of risk assessment.•Prakriti classification provided more insights into the precise risks of CAD.