title: Increased C-reactive protein associates with elevated carotid intima-media thickness in Chinese adults with normal low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to study the relationship of elevated C reactive protein (CRP) levels (1.0-2.9 or ≥3.0 mg/L) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in Chinese adults with normal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (<100 mg/dL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis was performed using 2499 eligible subjects recruited from a single community in Shanghai in 2008. These subjects were divided into three groups according to their serum CRP levels (<1.0 mg/L, 1.0-2.9 and ≥3.0 mg/L). IMT was measured using a high-resolution tomographic ultrasound system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared to CRP <1.0 mg/L (n= 1994), subjects with CRP 1.0-2.9 (n=265) and ≥3.0 mg/L (n= 240) were much older and had higher body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c and serum triglycerides; IMT was significantly elevated in CRP ≥3.0 or 1.0-2.9 mg/L (0.66 or 0.65 vs 0.61 mm, p<0.0001). Subjects with CRP ≥3 mg/L were associated with 1.45-fold risk for elevated IMT (≥0.7 mm) (95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.06) after full adjustment. The association was more prominent in subjects with aged <60 (odds ratio (OR)= 2.04; p= 0.04), in diabetic patients (OR= 1.79; p= 0.04) and obese subjects (OR= 1.55; p= 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased CRP is associated with elevated IMT in Chinese adults with normal LDL. Low-grade inflammation plays an independent and important role in atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Ministry of Health, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, the E-Institute of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yufang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Yuhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Mian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tiange
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Weiqing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ning
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein