Abstract WMP51: High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein In Asymptomatic Elderly Subjects Is Associated With a Higher Risk For Silent Brain Infarction

Abstract

Objective: Inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and it has been known that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is associated with coronary heart disease. However, the association of hs-CRP with subclinical cerebrovascular disease is less well established. We investigated the association of hs-CRP with silent brain infarction (SBI) as a marker of subclinical cerebrovascular disease in elderly subjects without history of overt stroke. Methods: Neurologically asymptomatic elderly subjects (n=1,443; age ≥ 65 years) who visited for routine health check-ups were included in this study. The level of hs-CRP was measured and the presence of SBI was determined by brain MRI. Results: A total of 223 subjects (15.5%) had one or more SBIs, and the average hs-CRP level was significantly higher in subjects with SBI (2.2 mg/L) than in those without (1.4 mg/L). Compared with the lowest hs-CRP group (0-0.9mg/L), the proportion of SBI in the highest hs-CRP group (≥ 3 mg/L) was increased (27.1% vs. 13.6%). After adjusting by age, gender and the history of hypertension, diabetes, smoking, hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease, the risk of SBI was increased significantly two-fold in the highest hs-CRP group compared with the lowest group. Conclusion: Elevated hs-CRP level was found to be associated with the presence of SBI. This result suggests that inflammatory processes may be related to the subclinical cerebrovascular disease.