[C-reactive protein as a biochemical marker of cardiovascular risk]

The first objective of this study was to analyze the metabolic profile of the population to be studied. The second one was to ascertain whether there was a significant association between the nutritional status of the subjects and the serum level of C-reactive protein. Finally, the third objective was to discover whether there was a correlation between C-reactive protein serum levels and waist to hip ratio values.

The sample was composed of 1001 adolescents, 9-17 years of age, from 18 schools in the provinces of Granada and Almeria. Their nutritional status was determined by means of anthropometric evaluation. For the metabolic study, a blood sample was collected from each subject by venipuncture. An analysis was performed of C-reactive protein, basal glycemia, ceruloplasmin, glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c), basal insulin, serum levels of lipoprotein (a), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA).

The biochemical study reflected a normal metabolic profile with serum levels of C-reactive protein, basal glycemia, ceruloplasmin, glycated hemoglobin, basal insulin, lipoprotein (a) and non-esterified fatty acids slightly higher in the male subjects. The results of our studied showed that there was a statistically significant association (p < 0.05; F = 3.701) between the nutritional status of the subjects and serum levels of C-reactive protein. A statistically significant association (F = 9.008; p < 0.005) was also found between serum levels of C-reactive protein and waist to hip ratio values.

The C-reactive protein associated either with nutritional status or the waist to hip ratio is an effective biochemical marker of cardiovascular risk among the population of adolescents in our study.