C-reactive protein as a marker of progression of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Vasa. 2017 May;46(3):187-192. doi: 10.1024/0301-1526/a000614. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Abstract

Background: This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of inflammatory markers on the presence and progression of subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis in a 3.8-year follow-up period in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Patients and methods: A total of 595 subjects with T2DM were enrolled. Subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis (carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), plaque thickness, and plaques presence) were assessed with ultrasound at the time of recruitment and again after 3.8 years. Subjects with T2DM were divided into 2 groups according to the plasma high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (subjects with hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L and subjects with hs-CRP below 2 mg/L).

Results: Subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels ≥ 2 mg/L had higher CIMT in comparison with subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels below 2 mg/L, and higher incidence of plaques/unstable plaques in comparison with subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels below 2 mg/L. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found the association between the HDL cholesterol level and presence of plaques, whereas the inflammatory marker hs-CRP was not associated with subclinical markers of progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Multiple linear regression analysis found the association between the hs-CRP levels and either CIMT progression rate or a change in the number of sites with plaques in a 3.8-year follow-up.

Conclusions: We demonstrated an association between the inflammatory marker hs-CRP and either CIMT or incidence of plaques/unstable plaques at the time of recruitment in Caucasians with T2DM. Moreover, we found the association between hs-CRP levels and either CIMT progression rate or a change in the number of sites with plaques in a 3.8-year follow-up in subjects with T2DM.

Keywords: Carotid atherosclerosis; high sensitive C-reactive protein; inflammation; prospective study.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / blood*
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / diagnosis
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / epidemiology
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / blood*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / diagnosis
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / epidemiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood*
  • Linear Models
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Slovenia / epidemiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • C-Reactive Protein