[Impact of C-reactive protein on cardiovascular risk in adolescents].
BACKGROUND
Several studies suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with coronary artery disease in adults. However, this association has not been thoroughly explored in cases of adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between CRP and cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescents.


METHODS
Eighty-four adolescents (12.6 +/- 1.3 years) of both genders were divided into the following groups: Normal weight (n = 28), Overweight (n = 28), and Obese (n = 28), according to body mass index (BMI). CRP levels (ultrasensitive ELISA), the lipid profile, and anti-oxLDL antibody levels (ELISA) were determined after a 12-hour fast.


RESULTS
The groups were similar in age (p = 0.13) and gender (p = 0.83). Total cholesterol, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C showed significant differences between Normal weight and Obese groups. There was no significant variation in anti-oxLDL levels. CRP values were different among the three groups (p < 0.01). CRP levels showed a significant association with BMI (beta = 2.533), AC (beta = 2.645), WC (beta = 2.945), TC (beta = 0.006), LDL-C (beta = 0.006), and anti-oxLDL antibodies (beta = 0.383), and a negative association with HDL-C (beta = -0.017).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that CRP is significantly associated with markers of cardiovascular risk in adolescents.
Silva
Isis Tande da
IT
Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Sanches
Letícia Bertoldi
LB
Mello
Ana Paula de Queiroz
AP
Damasceno
Nágila Raquel Teixeira
NR
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein