C-reactive protein in patients with chronic stable angina: differences in baseline serum concentration between women
X Garcia-Moll1, E Zouridakis, D Cole
1Coronary Artery Disease Research Unit, Cardiological Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, U.K.
European Heart Journal
|September 16, 2000
Summary
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is higher in women than men, particularly those on hormone replacement therapy. Despite higher CRP levels, women experienced similar cardiac event rates as men, though elevated CRP predicted risk in the overall group.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a known prognostic marker in healthy individuals and men with coronary artery disease.
- The predictive role of CRP in women with coronary heart disease is less understood.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may influence CRP levels in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare CRP levels and their prognostic value between men and women with coronary heart disease.
- To investigate if HRT affects CRP concentrations in women.
- To determine the association of CRP with cardiovascular risk in a mixed-sex cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 911 patients (327 women) presenting with typical exertional angina.
- Clinical, biochemical, and angiographic data collected at baseline.
- Serum CRP measured using a sensitive assay, with correlation to clinical events over 1.0–3.7 years.
Main Results:
- Women had significantly higher CRP levels than men (3.0 vs 2.1 mg/L, P<0.001), even after adjustment for risk factors.
- Women on HRT exhibited higher CRP levels compared to women not on HRT (P=0.001).
- Elevated CRP independently predicted cardiovascular risk (P=0.033) in the overall cohort, yet women had similar cardiac event rates to men.
Conclusions:
- Baseline CRP levels are elevated in women compared to men, with higher concentrations observed in women using HRT.
- Despite higher CRP, women and men showed comparable rates of cardiac events.
- Increased CRP is associated with heightened cardiovascular risk across the study population.
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