C-reactive protein: associations with haematological variables, cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease

Woodward, M., Rumley, A., Lowe, G.D.O. and Tunstall-Pedoe, H. (2003) C-reactive protein: associations with haematological variables, cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease. British Journal of Haematology, 122(1), pp. 135-141. (doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04387.x)

Abstract

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, this association is confounded by mutual relationships with both classical and haematological cardiovascular risk factors. We, therefore, measured CRP with a high-sensitivity assay in stored plasma samples from 414 men and 515 women in the north Glasgow MONICA (MONItoring trends in CArdiovascular diseases) survey, to study its correlation with haematological variables, classical risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease. CRP correlated with age, oral contraceptive use, menopause and most classical cardiovascular risk factors (except blood pressure). CRP also correlated with plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6, and haematocrit, viscosity, red cell aggregation, white cell count, and coagulation factors [fibrinogen, factor (F) VII in women, FVIII, FIX] and inhibitors (antithrombin and protein C in women; protein S) but not coagulation activation markers. CRP was significantly associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease in both men (P = 0.03) and women (P = 0.009), however, the association became non-significant after adjustment for firstly classical risk factors, then fibrinogen. We conclude that correlations with classical and haematological risk factors account for a substantial component of the association of CRP with prevalent cardiovascular disease, but there is evidence of a residual, independent effect among women.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rumley, Dr Ann and Lowe, Professor Gordon
• Authors: Woodward, M., Rumley, A., Lowe, G.D.O., and Tunstall-Pedoe, H.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: British Journal of Haematology
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
• ISSN: 0007-1048
• Copyright Holders: © Blackwell Publishing
• First Published: First published in British Journal of Haematology 122(1):135-141
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher