Serum C-reactive protein levels can be used to predict future ischemic stroke and mortality in Japanese men from the general population.
BACKGROUND
High C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. The relationship of CRP levels to the risk of cerebrovascular events in the Japanese population, which has a lower prevalence of coronary artery disease and a lower CRP level than Western populations, has not been fully clarified. The present study examined the predictive value of serum high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels for future cerebrovascular events and mortality in the general Japanese population.


METHODS
The subjects for this community-based, prospective cohort study were recruited from the general population (n=7901, male only, mean age=64.0 years). Serum hs-CRP levels and cardiovascular risk factors were determined at baseline. The mean follow-up period was 2.7 years. After excluding subjects with a cardiovascular history, the relationships between hs-CRP levels and cerebrovascular events and mortality were assessed.


RESULTS
During follow-up, 130 participants had a first stroke (95 ischemic strokes), and 161 participants died. The hs-CRP tertile level was a significant predictor for a first ischemic stroke (3rd tertile, HR=1.77: 95% Cl, 1.04-3.03, compared with the 1st tertile), after adjustment for age and classical cardiovascular risk factors. Similar trends were observed for the prediction of all-cause mortality (3rd tertile, HR=2.26: 95% Cl, 1.49-3.42, compared with the 1st tertile).


CONCLUSIONS
CRP levels can be used to predict future ischemic stroke and mortality in Japanese men from the general population, independently from traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Makita
Shinji
S
Department of Internal Medicine II, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka 0208505, Japan. makitas@seagreen.ocn.ne.jp
Nakamura
Motoyuki
M
Satoh
Kenyu
K
Tanaka
Fumitaka
F
Onoda
Toshiyuki
T
Kawamura
Kazuko
K
Ohsawa
Masaki
M
Tanno
Kozo
K
Itai
Kazuyoshi
K
Sakata
Kiyomi
K
Okayama
Akira
A
Terayama
Yasuo
Y
Yoshida
Yuki
Y
Ogawa
Akira
A
D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein