title: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein: a novel cardiovascular risk predictor in type 2 diabetics with normal lipid profile.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  India is the diabetic capital of the world. Coronary heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetics. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis are complex diseases sharing common antecedents like inflammation. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), an acute phase reactant protein, is a proinflammatory atherogenic circulating marker which can prove to be an independent cardiac risk predictor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of hs-CRP as an independent cardiovascular risk marker among Indians with type 2 diabetes with normal lipid profile.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a case control study including 60 type 2 diabetics with normal lipid profile and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve-hour fasting blood samples were collected from all the participants. Serum was assayed for hs-CRP and lipid profile.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results were analyzed by unpaired t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found elevated hs-CRP levels (4.8 ± 0.2, P < .0001) among cases compared to controls (0.9 ± 0.1). According to hs-CRP levels, seven cases were in the low-risk (< 1 mg/l), 32 in the moderate-risk (1-3 mg/l), and 21 in the high-risk (3-10 mg/l) group with mean values of hs-CRP of 0.7 ± 0.2, 1.75 ± 0.7, and 5.8 ± 1.4, respectively. Relative risk was 4.75 with odds ratio of 10.23 (95% confidence interval 8.8-11.23).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that hs-CRP is an independent cardiac risk predictor even with normal lipid profile and can help measure additional risk. The American Heart Association stated that patients in the intermediate- and high-risk group may benefit from therapeutic lifestyle change and that cardiovascular event may be prevented.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. b_asegaonkar@yahoo.com
authors: Shilpa B
authors: SB
authors: Asegaonkar
authors: Amruta
authors: A
authors: Marathe
authors: Mangesh L
authors: ML
authors: Tekade
authors: Laxmikant
authors: L
authors: Cherekar
authors: Jayashree
authors: J
authors: Bavikar
authors: Jayashree
authors: J
authors: Bardapurkar
authors: Rote
authors: R
authors: Ajay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein