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Does elevated high-sensitivity serum C-reactive protein associate with hypertension in non-obese Japanese males?

Takuya Imatoh1, Motonobu Miyazaki, Hiroshi Une

  • 1Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan. imatoh@cis.fukuoka-u.ac.jp

Clinical and Experimental Hypertension (New York, N.Y. : 1993)
|August 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels are linked to hypertension in non-obese Japanese men. Higher hsCRP indicates an increased risk of developing high blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Research
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major global health concern.
  • Inflammation, indicated by hsCRP, may play a role in hypertension development.
  • Previous research on hsCRP and hypertension has yielded mixed results, particularly in specific populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent association between elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and hypertension.
  • To determine if hsCRP is a significant risk factor for hypertension in non-obese Japanese males.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study design was employed.
  • Participants included 86 hypertensive and 109 normotensive non-obese Japanese males.
  • Hypertension was defined by blood pressure thresholds or antihypertensive medication use. hsCRP levels were measured and analyzed using logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Log-hsCRP levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to the normotensive group.
  • Individuals in the highest tertile of hsCRP had a two-fold increased risk of hypertension.
  • A significant trend showed increasing hypertension risk with rising CRP levels (p < .05).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated hsCRP levels are independently associated with hypertension in non-obese Japanese males.
  • hsCRP may serve as a valuable independent risk factor for predicting hypertension in this demographic.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the causal mechanisms linking hsCRP and hypertension.

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