title: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the low- and intermediate-Framingham risk score groups: analysis with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate vascular inflammation according to high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in the low- (<10%) and intermediate- (10%-20%) Framingham risk score (FRS) groups using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, which reflects vascular inflammation and vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured hsCRP levels and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in 142 non-diabetic subjects without history of cardiovascular disease. To assess the vascular influence of hsCRP on each FRS category, we compared carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and vascular inflammation, which was represented as the target-to-background ratio (TBR) measured using FDG-PET/CT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both low- and intermediate-FRS categories, mean TBR values in subjects with higher hsCRP levels (≥2mg/L) were significantly increased compared to those with lower hsCRP levels (<2mg/L) (P=0.001, P<0.001, respectively). However, baPWV and CIMT values did not significantly differ according to hsCRP levels in the same FRS categories. Mean TBR levels positively correlated with FRS, body mass index (BMI), whereas negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol. Multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that hsCRP, LDL-cholesterol, BMI, and insulin resistance were independently associated with mean TBR values (R(2)=0.414).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In both intermediate and low FRS risk groups, vascular inflammation measured using FDG-PET/CT was increased in individuals with higher hsCRP levels compared to those with lower hsCRP.
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: yangsj1977@naver.com.
authors: Sae Jeong
authors: SJ
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Sungeun
authors: S
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hae Yoon
authors: HY
authors: Choi
authors: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Inje University College of Medicine, Pusan, Republic of Korea.
authors: Tae Nyun
authors: TN
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hye Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Yoo
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Ji A
authors: JA
authors: Seo
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Sin Gon
authors: SG
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Nan Hee
authors: NH
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Sei Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Baik
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Dong Seop
authors: DS
authors: Choi
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: medica7@gmail.com.
authors: Kyung Mook
authors: KM
authors: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D002097:C-Reactive Protein