These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: C-reactive protein predicts carotid atherosclerosis progression in mild to moderate risk and middle-aged patients.
    Author: Hashimoto H, Kitagawa K, Hougaku H, Etani H, Hori M.
    Journal: Clin Invest Med; 2006 Apr; 29(2):77-82. PubMed ID: 16737083.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: The Framingham risk score is a popular tool for estimating cardiovascular risk, but there is debate about the value of C-reactive protein. This study investigated the utility of C-reactive protein to predict the progression of atherosclerosis in relation to the Framingham risk score and age. METHODS: This observational study enrolled 164 outpatients (mean age: 61 yr; range: 40 - 75 yr) receiving treatment for classical cardiovascular risk factors. They underwent serial ultrasonographic evaluation of their carotid arteries for 36 +/- 10 months. A carotid intima-media thickness > or = 1.1 mm was defined as plaque, and the number of plaques and plaque score (sum of all plaque thicknesses) were determined. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations and classical risk factors, including body mass index, were measured. RESULTS: C-reactive protein was related to annual changes in the number of plaques and the plaque score (r=0.26 and 0.28; P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively), as well as the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease estimated from the Framingham risk score (r=0.335, P<0.001). C-reactive protein was correlated with the annual changes of plaque number and plaque score (beta=0.21 and 0.23; P<0.05 and P<0.01) after adjusting for 10-year cardiovascular and other risk factors, especially in 64 patients comprising the 8-13% 10-year risk group (beta=0.33 for plaque score, P<0.05). CRP also showed a relationship with the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in 71 patients aged < or = 61 yr (beta=0.33 for plaque score, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: C-reactive protein can predict the progression of early carotid atherosclerosis in patients with mild to moderate cardiovascular risk and/or middle-aged patients.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]