Background: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are related to increased coronary risk in healthy subjects and in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The aims of the present study were to assess the following: (1) the association between CRP and subsequent coronary risk in patients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD), (2) the effect of long-term bezafibrate treatment on CRP levels, and (3) to evaluate the consequences of change in CRP level over time on subsequent risk.
Methods: Patients with chronic CHD (n = 3122) were recruited to a secondary prevention study that assessed the efficacy of bezafibrate versus placebo. C-reactive protein was measured in plasma samples collected at prerandomization and after 2 years of follow-up. Mean follow-up time was 6.2 years. Primary end point was fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.
Results: Increased baseline CRP levels were associated with increased risk (hazard ratios [HRs] per unit of log-transformed CRP level change) of myocardial infarction (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.33), the primary end point (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.34), total death (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.40) and cardiac death (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04-1.59). After 2 years, CRP levels increased by 3.0% (from a mean level of 3.44 mg/L) in the bezafibrate group and by 3.7% (from 3.49 mg/L) in the placebo group. C-reactive protein levels after 2 years were associated with increased subsequent cardiovascular risk.
Conclusions: Baseline CRP and 2-year CRP levels were associated with subsequent risk of myocardial infarction and death in patients with chronic CHD. Bezafibrate did not reduce CRP levels as compared with placebo.