C reactive protein and its relation to cardiovascular risk factors: a population based cross sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that minor chronic insults such as smoking, chronic bronchitis, and two persistent bacterial infections may be associated with increases in C reactive protein concentration within the normal range and that variations in the C reactive protein concentration in turn may be associated with levels of cardiovascular risk factors and chronic coronary heart disease.


METHODS
Population based cross sectional study.


METHODS
General practices in Merton, Sutton, and Wandsworth.


METHODS
A random sample of 388 men aged 50-69 years from general practice registers. 612 men were invited to attend and 413 attended, of whom 25 non-white men were excluded. The first 303 of the remaining 388 men had full risk factor profiles determined.


METHODS
Measurements of serum C reactive protein concentrations by in house enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); other determinations by standard methods. Coronary heart disease was sought by the Rose angina questionnaire and Minnesota coded electrocardiograms.


METHODS
Serum C reactive protein concentrations, cardiovascular risk factor levels, and the presence of coronary heart disease.


RESULTS
Increasing age, smoking, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections, and body mass index were all associated with raised concentrations of C reactive protein. C Reactive protein concentration was associated with raised serum fibrinogen, sialic acid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and apolipoprotein B values. C Reactive protein concentration was negatively associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. There was a weaker positive relation with low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and no relation with apolipoprotein A I value. C Reactive protein concentration was also strongly associated with coronary heart disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The body's response to inflammation may play an important part in influencing the progression of atherosclerosis. The association of C reactive protein concentration with coronary heart disease needs testing in prospective studies.
Mendall
M A
MA
Division of Biochemical Medicine, St George's Medical School, London.
Patel
P
P
Ballam
L
L
Strachan
D
D
Northfield
T C
TC
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D012923:Social Class
D002097:C-Reactive Protein