Relation between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cardiovascular and renal markers in a middle-income country in the African region.
BACKGROUND
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and with renal function markers. However, these associations have not been examined in populations in the African region. We analyzed the distribution of hs-CRP and the relationship with a broad set of CVRF, renal markers and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), in the Seychelles (African region).


METHODS
We conducted a survey in the population aged 25-64 years (n=1255, participation rate: 80.2%). Analyses were restricted to persons of predominantly African descent (n=1011).


RESULTS
Mean and median hs-CRP serum concentrations (mg/l) were 3.1 (SD 7.6) and 1.4 (IQR 0.7-2.9) in men and 4.5 (SD 6.7) and 2.2 (IQR 1.0-5.4) in women (p<0.001 for difference between men and women). hs-CRP was significantly associated with several conventional CVRF, and particularly strongly with markers of adiposity. With regards to renal markers, hs-CRP was strongly associated with cystatin C and with microalbuminuria but not with creatinine. hs-CRP was not associated with IMT.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum concentration of hs-CRP was significantly associated with sex, several CVRF and selected renal function markers, which extends similar findings in Europe and in North America to a population in the African region. These findings can contribute to guide recommendations for the use of hs-CRP in clinical practice in the region.
University Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Center (CHUV), University of Lausanne, rue du Bugnon 17, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Isabelle Anne
IA
Rossi
Murielle
M
Bochud
Bharathi
B
Viswanathan
Walter
W
Riesen
Pascal
P
Bovet
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012750:Seychelles / Q000208:ethnology
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein