Elevated C-reactive protein is associated with an increased intima to media thickness of the common carotid artery.
In this study, we analyzed the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and the intima to media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in 411 consecutive neurological inpatients (215 males, mean age 64.1 years). The CRP concentration was determined within 12 h and patients were subdivided according to the CRP level. Patients with an elevated CRP (n = 149) showed a significantly larger IMT [1.05 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.09) vs. 0.92 mm (95% CI 0.89-0.94)]. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that an elevated CRP level, age, pack-years of smoking, body mass index, incidence of diabetes mellitus and ischemic stroke were independently associated with an increased IMT (p < 0.05).
Winbeck
Kerstin
K
Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, Germany. Winbeck@neuro.med.tu-muenchen.de
Kukla
Christian
C
Poppert
Holger
H
Klingelhöfer
Jürgen
J
Conrad
Bastian
B
Sander
Dirk
D
D000368:Aged; D001167:Arteritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
D002097:C-Reactive Protein