title: Ethnic groups and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in Israel.
abstract: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a biomarker that correlates with atherothrombotic risk and outcome. hs-CRP is influenced by various modifiable and non-modifiable factors. We studied the relationship between ethnic background and hs-CRP level, among the Jewish population in Israel. A total of 3659 men and 2180 women were divided into two ethnic groups (Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews), based on the knowledge of Jewish immigration patterns throughout the centuries. Mean hs-CRP levels were calculated for each group and were adjusted for various factors known to influence hs-CRP. Sephardic Jews were found to have higher adjusted mean hs-CRP levels (2.0 mg l(-1) for men and 3.9 mg l(-1) for women) compared with Ashkenazi Jews (1.5 mg l(-1) for men and 2.9 mg l(-1) for women). Ethnic background emerged as an independent significant predictor of hs-CRP levels. We demonstrated that ethnicity is an important factor when considering hs-CRP as a marker of atherothrombotic risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine A, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Ofir
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wolach
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arbel
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Uri
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Goldbourt
authors.forename: Uzi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rebhun
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berliner
authors.forename: Ori
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rogowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein