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Ethnic variation in C-reactive protein: UK resident Indo-Asians compared with Caucasians
K Chatha1, N R Anderson, R Gama
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK.
Insights
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels did not explain the higher rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) in UK Indo-Asians compared to Caucasians. This study found similar CRP concentrations between ethnic groups, suggesting other factors contribute to CHD risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Ethnic Health Disparities
- Inflammation Markers
Background:
- UK Indo-Asians exhibit a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) not fully explained by traditional risk factors.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation implicated in CHD pathogenesis, with conflicting data on ethnic variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could explain the increased prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in UK Indo-Asians.
- To compare CRP concentrations between Indo-Asian and Caucasian men and women in the UK.
Main Methods:
- A highly sensitive assay was used to measure serum CRP in 102 men and 89 women (aged 40-70).
- Participants were non-diabetic and non-smokers, comprising 63 Caucasian men, 39 Indo-Asian men, 58 Caucasian women, and 31 Indo-Asian women.
- Coronary risk factors and calculated coronary risk were assessed and compared between ethnic groups.
Main Results:
- Serum CRP concentrations were similar between Indo-Asian and Caucasian men and women.
- Serum CRP showed a positive correlation with coronary risk (P < 0.05).
- Indo-Asian women had lower HDL cholesterol than Caucasian women (P < 0.05), but other risk factors were matched.
Conclusions:
- Altered C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations do not appear to be a factor in the elevated prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) among UK Indo-Asians.
- The higher incidence of CHD in this population likely stems from factors other than CRP levels.
Background:
The increased prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in UK resident Indo-Asians is unexplained by the traditional cardiovascular risk factors of dyslipidaemia, hypertension, smoking and diabetes mellitus. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CHD but the data on ethnic variation in CRP is conflicting. We therefore investigated whether CRP could help explain the increased prevalence of CHD in Indo-Asians.
Design And Methods:
We measured CRP, using a highly sensitive assay, in 102 men (63 Caucasians and 39 Indo-Asians) and 89 women (58 Caucasians and 31 Indo-Asians). All subjects, aged between 40 and 70 years, were nondiabetic and nonsmokers.
Results:
Serum CRP correlated (P < 0.05) positively with coronary risk. Serum HDL cholesterol concentrations were lower (P<0.05) in Indo-Asian women when compared with Caucasian women, but otherwise the ethnic groups were matched for calculated coronary risk and cardiovascular risk factors. Serum CRP concentrations were similar in Indo-Asians (women 2.29 (1.52) mg/l [mean (SD)]; men 1.77 (1.46) mg/l) and Caucasians (women 2.23 (1.54) mg/l; men 1.94 (1.45) mg/l).
Conclusions:
Altered CRP concentrations does not appear to be implicated in the increased prevalence of CHD in UK resident Indo-Asians.