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A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
[C-reactive protein and carotid intima-media thickness in a population of middle-aged Koreans]
Mina Suh1, Joo Young Lee, Song Vogue Ahn
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine.
Insights
C-reactive protein (CRP) is linked to carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in middle-aged Korean women, indicating increased cardiovascular risk. This association was not observed in men, suggesting sex-specific differences in CRP
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Biomarkers
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to atherosclerosis.
- Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a non-invasive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).
- To determine if this relationship differs between middle-aged men and women in a Korean population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1,054 men and 1,595 women (aged 40-70) in Kanghwa County, Korea.
- Measurements included high-sensitivity CRP, cardiovascular risk factors, and carotid ultrasonography to assess maximal IMT.
- Statistical analysis used multiple linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for major cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Mean carotid IMT increased with higher CRP quartiles in both women (p<0.001) and men (p=0.032).
- After adjusting for risk factors, a significant positive association between CRP and carotid IMT was found in women (p=0.017), but not in men (p=0.798).
- Women in the highest CRP quartile had a 1.55-fold increased odds of having increased IMT compared to the lowest quartile.
Conclusions:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are directly associated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in middle-aged Korean women.
- This association suggests CRP may be a relevant biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis in women.
- No significant relationship between CRP and carotid IMT was found in men in this population.
Objectives:
This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (carotid IMT) in a population of middle-aged Koreans.
Methods:
A total of 1,054 men and 1,595 women (aged 40-70 years) from Kanghwa County, Korea, were chosen for the present study between 2006 and 2007. We measured high-sensitivity CRP and other major cardiovascular risk factors including anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood chemistry, and carotid ultrasonography. Health related questionnaires were also completed by each study participant. Carotid IMT value was determined by the maximal IMT at each common carotid artery. The relationship between CRP level and carotid IMT was assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression models after adjustment for age, body mass index, menopause (women), systolic blood pressure, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, triglyceride level, fasting glucose, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Results:
Mean carotid IMT values from the lowest to highest quartile of CRP were 0.828, 0.873, 0.898, and 0.926 mm for women (p for trend<0.001), and 0.929, 0.938, 0.949, and 0.979 mm for men (p for trend=0.032), respectively. After adjustment for major cardiovascular risk factors, the relationship between CRP and carotid IMT was significant in women (p for trend=0.017), but not in men (p for trend=0.798). Similarly, adjusted odds ratio of increased IMT, defined as the sex-specific top quartile, for the highest versus lowest CRP quartiles was 1.55 (95% CI=1.06-2.26) in women, but only 1.05 (95% CI=0.69-1.62) in men.
Conclusions:
CRP and carotid IMT levels appear to be directly related in women, but not in men.
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