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

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. 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 >= 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 >= 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. Conclusion - Serum CRP level is independently associated with advanced atherosclerosis in young persons.