C-reactive protein and colorectal cancer mortality in U.S. adults

Chronic inflammation has been associated with colorectal cancer. Prediagnostic levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a highly sensitive marker of inflammation, have been weakly associated with increased colorectal cancer incidence, but few data are available examining its relationship with colorectal cancer mortality.

In the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 65% of the 15,924 adult participants had CRP levels ≤0.21 mg/dL. Using this as the reference group, we calculated hazard ratios (HR) for higher CRP categories and colorectal cancer mortality, and compared them with HRs for other mortality causes.

Over a median follow-up period of 14.2 years, there were 92 deaths from colorectal cancer. Compared with the reference group, multivariable adjusted HRs for colorectal cancer mortality were 2.66 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36-5.20] for CRP levels 0.22-0.50 mg/dL; 3.40 (95% CI, 1.48-7.77) for levels 0.51-1.00 mg/dL; and 3.96 (95% CI, 1.64-9.52) for levels >1.00 mg/dL. Estimates for colorectal cancer mortality did not change appreciably after excluding deaths within the first 3 years or by limiting follow-up to 5 or 10 years.

In a large representative study of U.S. adults, we observed strong dose-response associations between CRP levels and colorectal cancer mortality.

Further evaluation of CRP may help identify high-risk groups for colorectal cancer screening and those who might benefit most from prophylactic anti-inflammatory therapy.