Association between C-reactive protein, metabolic cardiovascular risk factors, obesity and oral contraceptive use in young adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine the relationship between levels of the inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), cardiovascular risk factors and oral contraceptive use in young adults.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of a community cohort.


METHODS
A total of 822 men and women aged 26 y.


METHODS
CRP, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid and lipoprotein levels, smoking status, socioeconomic status, health status, and hormonal contraceptive use in women.


RESULTS
Multiple regression analysis showed that obesity was independently related to CRP with an increase in ratio CRP of 1.03 (95% CI 1.01, 1.05) for men and 1.07 (1.05, 1.09) for women associated with a 1 kg/m(2) increase in BMI. In women, combined oral contraceptive use was associated with a ratio change in CRP of 1.52 (1.27, 1.82) compared with nonusers. Other independent determinants of CRP in men and women were apolipoprotein B level, systolic blood pressure and apolipoprotein A1 in men. Univariate analysis showed that the relationship between CRP and BMI, systolic blood pressure and apolipoprotein B was significantly stronger in women than men.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that obesity is associated with inflammation independent of other cardiovascular risk factors that may contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease in men and women. Elevated CRP related to combined oral contraceptive use may influence the rate of cardiovascular events in young women.
Williams
M J A
MJ
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. michael.williams@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Williams
S M
SM
Milne
B J
BJ
Hancox
R J
RJ
Poulton
R
R
D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000032:analysis; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D013599:Systole
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D015415:Biomarkers; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D002097:C-Reactive Protein