| Title: | Factors associated with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the USA and the UK |
| Journal: | European Journal of Preventive Cardiology |
| Published: | 1 Oct 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41029969/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf609 |
| URL: | https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/advance-article-pdf/doi/10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf609/64458052/zwaf609.pdf |
Publication 19324
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Abstract
AIMS: Novel therapies are under evaluation for upstream inhibition of inflammatory pathways in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a downstream marker of these pathways but is not routinely measured. We aimed to identify potential factors associated with elevated hsCRP.</p>
METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included individuals with ASCVD from the UK Biobank (2006-10) and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1999-2010 and 2015-18). Factors associated with elevated hsCRP (2-10 mg/L) were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Six factors were associated with greater odds of elevated hsCRP in both cohorts (UK Biobank n = 23 045; NHANES n = 3415): obesity {UK Biobank odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 3.48 [3.18-3.80]; NHANES 4.11 [2.66-6.34]}, overweight [1.56 (1.44-1.70); 2.26 (1.51-3.38)], being a current smoker [2.47 (2.27-2.69); 1.96 (1.23-3.10)], female sex [1.69 (1.59-1.80); 1.69 (1.24-2.31)], and increased LDL cholesterol [1.05 (1.04-1.06); 1.00 (1.00-1.00), per 10 mg/dL increase] and triglyceride levels [1.01 (1.01-1.01); 1.00 (1.00-1.00), per 10 mg/dL increase] (all P < 0.05). Receiving statins was associated with lower odds in both cohorts [UK Biobank OR (95% CI) 0.69 (0.64-0.75); NHANES 0.54 (0.39-0.74)]. When these factors, plus chronic kidney disease stage G3-5, were considered in combination, hsCRP levels were higher in individuals with more factors (median hsCRP with seven factors: UK Biobank 5.39 mg/L; NHANES 6.99 mg/L).</p>
CONCLUSION: The factors identified may support data-driven targeted testing to identify those most likely to have elevated hsCRP, who could potentially benefit from emerging anti-inflammatory therapies.</p>
17 Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Atherosclerosis
- Biomarkers
- C-Reactive Protein
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Inflammation Mediators
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nutrition Surveys
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Factors
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Up-Regulation
12 Authors
- Kausik K Ray
- Simon Bertram Reuter
- Aysegul Dalbeler
- Mads D Faurby
- Gasper Letnar
- Jimmi Mathisen
- Michael G Nanna
- Fu Siong Ng
- Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard
- Naveed Sattar
- Andrew Thompson
- Ann Marie Navar
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 77032 | Estimating disparities in unmet clinical need in patients with cardiovascular disease |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health