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Elevated serum C-reactive protein levels and advanced atherosclerosis in youth.

Authors :: Zieske AW
Tracy RP
McMahan CA
Herderick EE
Homma S
Malcom GT
McGill HC Jr
Strong JP
Source :: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] 2005 Jun; Vol. 25 (6), pp. 1237-43. Date of Electronic Publication: 2005 Mar 31.
Publication Year :: 2005
Abstract: Objective: To determine the associations among serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, age, sex, risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), and atherosclerosis in young people.<br />Methods and Results: In 1244 subjects 15 to 34 years of age, we measured gross atherosclerotic lesions in the right coronary artery (RCA) and abdominal aorta (AA) and American Heart Association (AHA) lesion grade in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery; serum CRP, lipoprotein cholesterol, and thiocyanate (for smoking) concentrations; intimal thickness of renal arteries (for hypertension); glycohemoglobin (for hyperglycemia); and body mass index (for obesity). Serum CRP levels increased with age, were higher in women than in men, and were positively related to obesity and hyperglycemia. Serum CRP > or =10 mg/L was associated with more extensive gross raised lesions in the RCA after age 25 and in the AA after age 30. Serum CRP > or =3 was associated with a greater prevalence of AHA grade 5 lesions in the proximal LAD coronary artery after age 25. The associations of CRP with lesions were independent of the traditional CHD risk factors.<br />Conclusions: Serum CRP level is independently associated with advanced atherosclerosis in young persons.