Relation of C-reactive protein to abdominal adiposity

Inflammation is a crucial element in the development of cardiovascular disease. Serum measurements of inflammation through high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) can lead to improved risk stratification of patients for risk for hard cardiovascular events. There is evidence that anthropomorphic measurements of obesity are important determinants of systemic inflammation. Online databases (e.g., PubMed and Medline) were searched for original research reports published in English from June 1990 to June 2009 examining the relations between hsCRP; anthropomorphic measurements of obesity including body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, and visceral adiposity; and cardiovascular disease. When possible, correlation coefficients were used to compare data among studies. Measurements of abdominal obesity are associated with systemic inflammation as measured by hsCRP (r = 0.40 to 0.61). The association between hsCRP and abdominal adiposity persists when taking into account body mass index. Elevation of hsCRP might be reversible with weight loss and exercise. In conclusion, clinical measurements of abdominal adiposity readily provide data elucidating the systemic inflammatory state of patients and can help guide intensity of lifestyle modifications, thus leading to reduction of this inflammation.