title: Effects of fibrates on C-reactive protein concentrations: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of fibrates on C-reactive protein (CRP) are controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the available clinical trial evidence and summarize the effects of fibrates on CRP concentrations. In addition, this study assessed the relationship between changes in CRP and lipid measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search was conducted of randomized controlled trials on the effects of fibrates on CRP concentrations in the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library Database up to January 2011. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model. Meta-regression analysis was employed to assess the relationships between average change in CRP and lipid profiles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, treatment with fibrates significantly decreased CRP concentrations (weighted mean difference -0.47 mg/L, 95% confidence interval -0.93 to -0.01 mg/L, p=0.046). Fibrates significantly reduced CRP concentrations in trials with a higher baseline CRP concentrations (≥ 3 mg/L). There was a significant correlation between change in CRP and change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (regression coefficient or slope=-2.03, 95% CI -3.20 to -0.87, p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibrates can reduce CRP concentrations and change in CRP was correlated with change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but not with triglyceride. These findings suggest that patients with dyslipidemia could benefit from fibrates treatment by CRP lowering and this benefit is associated with lipid profile improving.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Evidence Based Medicine, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, PR China.
authors: Yongchen
authors: Y
authors: Hao
authors: Huan
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Xueli
authors: X
authors: Yang
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Dongfeng
authors: D
authors: Gu
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000592:standards*; D019992:Databases as Topic; D058607:Fibric Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D058607:Fibric Acids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein