Associations of high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels with the prevalence of asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), an inflammatory biomarker, has been demonstrated to contribute to the process of atherosclerosis and artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether hs-CRP level is associated with asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS).


METHODS
A random sample of 5440 participants aged 40 years or older (40.1% women) were enrolled in the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community study in 2010-2011. Information on the potential risk factors for ICAS was collected and the presence of ICAS was assessed by transcranial Doppler in 5309 participants. Participants were stratified into three groups according to hs-CRP levels. A multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between hs-CRP levels and asymptomatic ICAS.


RESULTS
The prevalence of asymptomatic ICAS was 13.2% in this cohort. The median of hs-CRP levels was positively associated with the increasing numbers of ICASs. After adjusting for possible risk factors, hs-CRP ≥ 3 mg/l remained significantly associated with asymptomatic ICAS (odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.61).


CONCLUSIONS
In this large community-based study, subjects with higher hs-CRP levels showed a mild increase in the prevalence of asymptomatic ICAS, independent of traditional vascular risk factors. hs-CRP is an independent predictor of asymptomatic ICAS and intracranial atherosclerotic burden.
Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
J
J
Wang
Y
Y
Liu
L
L
Zhang
N
N
Li
C
C
Wang
X
X
Gao
Y
Y
Zhou
A
A
Wang
S
S
Wu
X
X
Zhao
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
D002097:C-Reactive Protein
epidemiology; high sensitivity C-reactive protein; intracranial arterial stenosis; risk factors; transcranial Doppler