Abstract
BackgroundConflicting information exists regarding the association between hsCRP and the progression of early stages of atherosclerosis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of high sensitiviy c-reactive protein (hsCRP) along with major cardiovascular (CV) risk factors on early carotid atherosclerosis progression in a large, population-based cohort study.MethodsThe study cohort included 839 young adults (aged 24 to 43 years, 70% white, 42% men) enrolled in Bogalusa Heart Study, who in 2001-2002 attended baseline examination with measurements of CV risk factors. Progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed during a mean follow-up of 2.4 years.ResultsCarotid artery IMT progression rates were as follows: composite carotid artery = 9.2 ± 52 μm/y, common carotid artery = 0.0 ± 51 μm/y, carotid bulb = 8.8 ± 103 μm/y, and internal carotid artery = 18.9 ± 81 μm/y. Elevated baseline hsCRP, reflecting an inflammatory state, showed independent association with composite carotid artery IMT progression. Increased age, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol, and current smoking were other risk associates of carotid artery IMT progression in young adults, indicating an underlying burden on the CV system by multiple risk factors.ConclusionIn this population-based study, we observed independent categorical association of increased hsCRP with carotid artery IMT progression in young adults. This study underlines the importance of assesssing hsCRP levels along with smoking and traditional CV risk factor profiles in asymptomatic young adults.
Highlights
Conflicting information exists regarding the association between high sensitiviy c-reactive protein (hsCRP) and the progression of early stages of atherosclerosis
As part of the Bogalusa Heart Study, a biracial community based epidemiological study of the early natural history of cardiovascular (CV) disease, the present study examines the relationships of baseline traditional CV risk factors and hsCRP to carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) progression in asymptomatic younger adults by race and sex
In this large community population, we identified the association of baseline traditional CV risks and hsCRP to carotid artery IMT progression in young adults (24- to 43year old) over a 2.4-year period
Summary
Conflicting information exists regarding the association between hsCRP and the progression of early stages of atherosclerosis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of high sensitiviy c-reactive protein (hsCRP) along with major cardiovascular (CV) risk factors on early carotid atherosclerosis progression in a large, population-based cohort study. A change in carotid artery IMT over time has been validated as a vascular marker of the progression of atherosclerosis [1]. As part of the Bogalusa Heart Study, a biracial (blackwhite) community based epidemiological study of the early natural history of cardiovascular (CV) disease, the present study examines the relationships of baseline traditional CV risk factors and hsCRP to carotid artery IMT progression in asymptomatic younger adults by race and sex
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