High plasma CRP levels (≥1.77 mg/L) were associated with a 1.8-fold increased risk of ischemic heart disease (95% CI 1.2-2.7), particularly in men ≤55 years and for short-term events.
Cohort (n=2,037)
Do high plasma CRP levels predict an increased risk for future IHD in IHD-free middle-aged men?
Plasma CRP levels may provide independent prognostic information for IHD risk primarily in younger middle-aged men (≤55 years) and for short-term events (≤2 years).
Relative Risk: 1.8 (95% CI 1.2–2.7)
BACKGROUND: Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels recently have been identified as an emerging risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, whether plasma CRP levels predict an increased risk for future IHD beyond traditional risk factors has yet to be evaluated in a large prospective, population-based study. METHODS: The association between elevated plasma CRP levels and the risk for future IHD was investigated in the prospective, population-based cohort of 2037 IHD-free middle-aged men from the Quebec Cardiovascular Study. During a 5-year follow-up, 105 first IHD events were recorded. Baseline plasma CRP levels were measured using a highly sensitive assay. RESULTS: High plasma CRP concentrations (equal to or above vs below the median level of 1.77 mg/L) were associated with a significant 1.8-fold increase in IHD risk (95% confidence interval CI, 1.2-2.7). This association remained significant after adjustment for lipid risk factors but not when the simultaneous contribution of nonlipid traditional risk factors was taken into account. Multivariate analyses indicated that CRP level predicted short-term risk for IHD (events that occurred 2 years). Moreover, high plasma CRP levels predicted an increased risk for IHD, independent of any other confounder, in younger (55 years) individuals. CONCLUSION: Plasma CRP levels may provide independent information on IHD risk only in younger middle-aged men and in the case of IHD events that may occur relatively soon after the baseline evaluation.
Matteo Pirro (Mon,) conducted a cohort in Ischemic heart disease risk (n=2,037). High plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (≥1.77 mg/L) vs. Low plasma CRP levels (<1.77 mg/L) was evaluated on First ischemic heart disease (IHD) events (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7). High plasma CRP levels (≥1.77 mg/L) were associated with a 1.8-fold increased risk of ischemic heart disease (95% CI 1.2-2.7), particularly in men ≤55 years and for short-term events.