Analysis of C reactive protein and other inflammatory markers in the cardiovascular risk prediction in women

Objective: To evaluate the role of C Reactive Protein and other inflammatory markers in cardiovascular risk prediction. Study Design: A prospective case-control study. Place and Duration: At Cardiology Department of Nishtar Medical University & Hospital Multan from 5th Oct 2020 to 5th Oct 2021. Methodology: A total of 150 postmenopausal women were studied and divided into CVD patients (n=50) and control patients (n=100). The analyzed markers of inflammation included Interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein, Soluble ICAM-1 (slCAM-1), and Amyloid-A. The Homocysteine, Lipid Profile, and Low and High-density lipoprotein levels were also evaluated. Cardiovascular events considered in our study were death after coronary artery disease, non-fatal heart attack or stroke, or requiring coronary-revascularization methods. Results: In univariate analysis, it was observed that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were the strongest risk predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Amyloid-A, High-density lipoprotein, Cholesterol, Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Soluble lCAM-1, Interleukin-6, Apolipoprotein B-100, Homocysteine, total cholesterol, and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol also contributed to predicting cardiovascular diseases. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (95% Cl: 1.4(1.0-2.0)) and Amyloid-A (95% Cl: 0.9(0.7-1.5)) were also strong risk predictors in women. On the other hand, in multivariate analyses, only High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were independent risk predictors. Conclusion: As high-sensitivity CRP is an independent cardiovascular risk predictor, adding it to lipid screening may be a good procedure for identifying women at risk of cardiovascular diseases.