Elevated C-reactive protein (≥ 3.0 mg/L) was associated with a 1.45-fold increased odds of elevated carotid intima-media thickness compared to CRP < 1.0 mg/L in Chinese adults with normal LDL cholesterol.
Cross-Sectional (n=2,499)
No
Does elevated C-reactive protein associate with elevated carotid intima-media thickness in Chinese adults with normal LDL cholesterol?
Increased CRP levels are independently associated with elevated carotid intima-media thickness in Chinese adults with normal LDL cholesterol, suggesting low-grade inflammation plays a role in early atherosclerosis even when LDL is controlled.
Odds Ratio: 1.45 (95% CI 1.02–2.06)
Absolute Event Rate: 41.7% vs 23.6%
p-value: p=0.04
AIM: We aimed to study the relationship of elevated C reactive protein (CRP) levels (1.0-2.9 or ≥3.0 mg/L) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in Chinese adults with normal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (<100 mg/dL). METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis was performed using 2499 eligible subjects recruited from a single community in Shanghai in 2008. These subjects were divided into three groups according to their serum CRP levels (<1.0 mg/L, 1.0-2.9 and ≥3.0 mg/L). IMT was measured using a high-resolution tomographic ultrasound system. RESULTS: As compared to CRP <1.0 mg/L (n= 1994), subjects with CRP 1.0-2.9 (n=265) and ≥3.0 mg/L (n= 240) were much older and had higher body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c and serum triglycerides; IMT was significantly elevated in CRP ≥3.0 or 1.0-2.9 mg/L (0.66 or 0.65 vs 0.61 mm, p<0.0001). Subjects with CRP ≥3 mg/L were associated with 1.45-fold risk for elevated IMT (≥0.7 mm) (95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.06) after full adjustment. The association was more prominent in subjects with aged <60 (odds ratio (OR)= 2.04; p= 0.04), in diabetic patients (OR= 1.79; p= 0.04) and obese subjects (OR= 1.55; p= 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Increased CRP is associated with elevated IMT in Chinese adults with normal LDL. Low-grade inflammation plays an independent and important role in atherosclerosis.
Xu et al. (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Normal LDL cholesterol (n=2,499). Elevated C-reactive protein (≥ 3.0 mg/L) vs. C-reactive protein < 1.0 mg/L was evaluated on Elevated carotid intima-media thickness (≥ 0.7 mm) (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02-2.06, p=0.04). Elevated C-reactive protein (≥ 3.0 mg/L) was associated with a 1.45-fold increased odds of elevated carotid intima-media thickness compared to CRP < 1.0 mg/L in Chinese adults with normal LDL cholesterol.