Lipoprotein (a) and Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein in Overweight Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: The more intense and early development of obesity, the greater the risk of persistence and severity of comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease. There is evidence that high serum concentrations of lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: To verify the change in the levels of Lp (a) and ultrasensitive CRP and its relationship with the nutritional status of adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with overweight children and adolescents between August 2012 and July 2013 attended at the Center for Childhood Obesity. The measurement of inflammatory markers was performed in the Clinical Laboratory of the State University of Paraiba. Comparison of sociodemographic variables by sex was tested by chi-square; the association of the risk markers according to age was evaluated by Student’s t test, and the body mass index by analysis of Pearson correlation. The normality distribution was tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Confidence interval of 95% was adopted in all analyses. The study was approved by the Ethics Research Committee of UEPB (CAAE 0256.0.133.000-11). Results: Of the 133 children and adolescents evaluated, 60.9% were female and 72.2% were adolescents. Body Mass Index, lipo (a) and u-CRP showed statistically significant association with age (p < 0.01). There was a positive ascending correlation (r = 0.273, p < 0.01) of u-CRP with BMI, which was not verified for lipoprotein (a). Conclusion: As a cardiovascular risk marker already established in literature, the association of u-CRP with the nutritional status of adolescents, proportionally, shows the need for losing weight in this population, especially at early age. A deeper and long-term investigation should be carried out for more effective and consistent contribution to public health.