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Published on: January 28, 2020

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein at different stages of atherosclerosis: results of the INVADE study

Carla Schulze Horn1, Ruediger Ilg, Kerstin Sander

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, Muenchen 81675, Germany. csh76@gmx.de

Journal of Neurology
|February 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is linked to subclinical atherosclerosis measures like IMT and ABI. However, hsCRP cannot distinguish between early and advanced disease stages, limiting its use for monitoring progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biomarkers
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Limited evidence exists on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) roles across atherosclerosis stages.
  • Atherosclerosis involves plaque buildup in arteries, increasing cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between hsCRP levels and subclinical/advanced atherosclerosis.
  • To determine if hsCRP can differentiate between various stages of atherosclerotic disease progression.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of hsCRP in relation to intima-media thickness (IMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) in a population-based sample (n=3,092, >55 years).
  • Statistical methods included t-tests, Fisher's exact test, one-way ANOVA, and adjusted multiple linear regression and ANOVA.
  • Covariates included significant baseline parameters to adjust for confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in hsCRP were observed across IMT and ABI quartiles, and between participants with and without atherosclerosis.
  • Adjusted analyses confirmed independent relationships between hsCRP, IMT, and ABI.
  • No significant difference in hsCRP was found between subclinical and advanced atherosclerosis stages.

Conclusions:

  • hsCRP shows an independent relationship with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis (IMT, ABI).
  • hsCRP is valuable for identifying individuals at vascular risk.
  • hsCRP is not suitable for monitoring the progression of atherosclerosis due to lack of differentiation between disease stages.

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