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

• Published in: Journal of neurology 2009-05, Vol.256 (5), p.783-791
• Main Authors: Schulze Horn, Carla, Ilg, Ruediger, Sander, Kerstin, Bickel, Horst, Briesenick, Claus, Hemmer, Bernhard, Poppert, Holger, Sander, Dirk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Angina pectoris; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - blood; Atherosclerosis - diagnostic imaging; Atherosclerosis - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Pressure - physiology; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Cardiovascular disease; Carotid Stenosis - blood; Carotid Stenosis - diagnostic imaging; Carotid Stenosis - physiopathology; Cohort Studies; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Disease Progression; Female; Germany; Heart attacks; High density lipoprotein; Humans; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - complications; Inflammation - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences; Older people; Original Communication; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Proteins; Sensitivity and Specificity; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Tibial Arteries - physiopathology; Triglycerides; Ultrasonography - methods; Up-Regulation - physiology; Variance analysis; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 0340-5354; 1432-1459
• DOI: 10.1007/s00415-009-5017-6

Evidence on the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at different stages of atherosclerosis is limited. We therefore analyzed the relationship between hsCRP and measures of subclinical and advanced atherosclerosis in a population-based sample of the INVADE study ( n  = 3,092, >55 years). The parameters of interest were IMT, ABI, and the stage of atherosclerosis. Differences between participants with normal and pathological hsCRP were analyzed by t test for independent samples or Fishers’ exact test. Differences of hsCRP between IMT quartiles, ABI quartiles, and different stages of atherosclerosis were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Adjusted stepwise multiple linear regression analysis (IMT and ABI) and adjusted analysis of variance (stage of atherosclerosis) were performed, including significant baseline parameters as covariates. ANOVA showed significant differences of hsCRP among IMT quartiles, ABI quartiles, and patients with and without atherosclerosis. The adjusted analyses confirmed that the effects of IMT, ABI, and atherosclerosis on hsCRP were independent from other significant baseline parameters, but did not yield a significant difference between subclinical and advanced stages of atherosclerosis. The present analysis indicates an independent relationship between hsCRP and both IMT and ABI as measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. The comparison of subclinical and advanced stages of atherosclerosis yielded no significant difference, indicating that hsCRP is sensitive to identify vascular risk patients, but not suited to monitor progression of the disease.