High sensitivity C-reactive protein levels across spectrum and severity of coronary artery disease

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant protein synthesized by the liver in response to acute stress in a wide range of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. In healthy subjects and patients presenting with coronary artery disease (CAD), elevated levels of CRP has repeatedly been demonstrated to predict future cardiovascular events. Methods: We measured high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in 382 consecutive patients with CAD and 60 healthy controls by immunoturbidimetry method. Risk factors like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, smoking, obesity and family history of premature CAD were assessed. Results: The mean age of patients with CAD was 53.5±11.8 years (303 males) and that of control group was 50.83±8.07(28 males). The patient group had significant higher concentration of mean hs-CRP levels when compared with the healthy control group (1.8±1.9 mg/L vs 0.35±1.1 mg/L, p