High-Sensitivity CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Is Associated With Incident Carotid Artery Plaque in Chinese Aged Adults

Abstract

Background and Purpose— CRP (C-reactive protein) is an inflammatory biomarker which predicts the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, whether CRP is associated with carotid artery plaque (CAP) remains unclear. Methods— The current retrospective study was performed in 8229 Chinese aged adults (aged 65–99 years; 4677 men and 3552 women). hs-CRP (high-sensitivity CRP) concentrations were measured at baseline (2013), and further classified into 3 groups: low risk (<1.0 mg/L), intermediate risk (1.0–3.0 mg/L), and high risk (≥3.0 mg/L). Ultrasound B-mode imaging was repeatedly performed annually to detect CAP during 5-year follow-up (2013–2018). Potential confounders, including body mass index, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, alanine transferase, aspartate transferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid, lipid profiles, were also collected at baseline. White blood cell was collected as well. We used a logistic regression model for the cross-sectional relation between CRP concentration and CAP status and proportional hazardous Cox model for prospective analyses. Results— Comparing to the low-risk group, the adjusted odds ratios for CAP was 1.66 (95% CI, 1.43–1.92) in the intermediate-risk group and 1.72 (95% CI, 1.39–2.13) in the high-risk group, after adjustment for potential confounders. We identified 512 incident CAP cases during 5-year follow-up. Each mg/L increase of hs-CRP was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.1 (95% CI, 1.03–1.17) to developing CAP. Sensitivity analysis generated similar results with prospective analyses after excluding participants with overweight and obesity, with elevated fasting blood glucose, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and white blood cell. The association lost significant when we excluded participants with elevated blood pressure, however, few cases of CAP (n=41) was recruited in participants with normal blood pressure during follow-up. Conclusions— High hs-CRP concentration was associated with the high risk of developing CAP in Chinese aged adults.