C-reactive protein: vascular risk marker in elderly patients with mental illness.
BACKGROUND
There is increasing evidence that vascular disease contributes to cognitive impairment and dementia. Clarification of the role of vascular risk factors in dementia is important because most are modifiable, in contrast to other risk factors such as age and genetics.


METHODS
In 428 patients with mental illness we have investigated the relation of vascular disease to diagnoses, and a biochemical parameter, C-reactive protein (CRP), which is associated with inflammation and vascular disease.


RESULTS
Patients with vascular disease showed higher CRP levels than patients without vascular disease. Furthermore, patients with Alzheimer's disease showed lower CRP levels than patients with vascular dementia, mild cognitive impairment or depression. There is no obvious reason for this finding, since it could not be attributed to drug treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that the control of conventional vascular risk factors and therapy could be guided by the level of CRP.
Nilsson
Karin
K
Department of Psychogeriatrics, Clinical Science, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Gustafson
Lars
L
Hultberg
Björn
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000097:blood; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
C525030:CST3 protein, human; D055316:Cystatin C; D006710:Homocysteine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein