Elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are associated with mild cognitive impairment and its subtypes: results of a population-based case-control study.
As high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) seems to be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, this nested case-control study examined the relation of hsCRP and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at different time points. 148 MCI cases (106 amnestic, 42 non-amnestic (aMCI/naMCI)) and 148 matched controls were identified from a prospective population based cohort study of 4,359 participants (aged 50-80). HsCRP levels were measured 5 years before (baseline) and at the time of neuropsychological testing (follow-up). Odds ratios (OR) for hsCRP quartiles serum levels were calculated for the two time points using logistic regression analyses and were adjusted for cardiovascular covariates. In the fully adjusted model, baseline hsCRP levels were significantly associated with both MCI and aMCI (OR = 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-5.15, first versus fourth quartile, respective OR = 2.73, 95% CI, 1.09-6.84). At follow-up, the fourth hsCRP quartile was associated with MCI (OR = 3.60, 95% CI, 1.55-8.33), aMCI (OR = 3.73, 95% CI, 1.52-9.17) and naMCI (OR = 3.66, 95% CI, 1.00-13.77). Elevated hsCRP levels, even detected five years before diagnosis, are associated with an at least twofold increased probability of MCI. These findings suggest that inflammation plays an important role in the development and presence of cognitive impairment.
Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. Martha.Dlugaj@uk-essen.de
Martha
M
Dlugaj
Marcus
M
Gerwig
Natalia
N
Wege
Johannes
J
Siegrist
Klaus
K
Mann
Martina
M
Bröcker-Preuss
Nico
N
Dragano
Susanne
S
Moebus
Karl-Heinz
KH
Jöckel
Beate
B
Bokhof
Stefan
S
Möhlenkamp
Raimund
R
Erbel
Christian
C
Weimar
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018672:Community Health Planning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D002097:C-Reactive Protein