Relation between alcohol consumption and C-reactive protein levels in the adult US population.
BACKGROUND
Moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular death. Systemic inflammation as indicated by elevated levels of C-reactive protein might play a role in this relation.


METHODS
To evaluate the association of alcohol consumption with C-reactive protein, we analyzed the findings of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination, a population-based survey representing the noninstitutionalized US population. Participants were aged 17 and older (n = 11,572). The main outcome measures studied were probability of C-reactive protein measurements being greater than 0.30 mg/dL (corresponding to the 75th percentile for the population) stratified by categories of alcohol consumption. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.


RESULTS
Among nondrinkers 31% had elevated C-reactive protein levels, compared with 21% of low-to-moderate-frequency drinkers and 18% of high-frequency drinkers. In a model adjusted for confounding variables, those who drank 1 to 10 times per month (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.95), 11 to 30 times (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88), and more than 60 times per month (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48-0.93) were less likely than nondrinkers to have elevated C-reactive protein levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol consumption is associated with a decreased probability of elevated C-reactive protein levels. This association supports an anti-inflammatory mechanism by which moderate alcohol use might protect against cardiovascular death.
Stewart
Scott H
SH
Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Mainous
Arch G
AG
Gilbert
Greg
G
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D018962:Phlebotomy; D014481:United States
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein