title: C-reactive protein predicts the severity of coronary artery disease beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
abstract: Prospective studies and clinical trials have shown that C-reactive protein (CRP) independently predicts the occurrence of cardiovascular events, even in individuals without hypercholesterolemia. We evaluated whether CRP can predict the severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. A total of 418 patients with lower LDL-C (<3.37 mmol/L) who underwent coronary angiography were recruited. The median levels of CRP increased according to the number of stenotic vessels. Multivariable adjustment model indicated that CRP was associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the top to the bottom third comparison of CRP levels, yielding an odds ratio of 1.72 (95% confidence interval: 1.08-2.74); this trend was preserved after excluding the confounding effect of statin treatment. C-reactive protein may serve as a useful biomarker for improving the risk assessment and secondary prevention of CAD patients without hypercholesterolemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Capital Medical University Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Hang
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Chang-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiao-Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein