Association of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with metabolic control and diabetic chronic vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aims: To determine an association between hs-CRP and metabolic control/diabetic chronic vascular complications (DCVCCxs) in the patients with type 2 diabetes (DM). In addition, the possibility of using hs-CRP levels to predict risk of DCVCCxs will also be validated.

Methods: This cohort study randomly enrolled 608 patients with DM during the 2007-2008 study period. We also recorded basic laboratory findings at baseline and at one year, to include fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hs-CRP.

Results: Logistic regressions of odds ratios between hs-CRP and DCVCCxs (coronary arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy) showed significant correlations, except for cerebrovascular disease, as follows 0.2 (0.11-0.38), 0.09 (0.01-0.77), 0.06 (0.02-0.16), 0.31 (0.12-0.82), and 0.17 (0.07-0.43), respectively. Linear regression for changes in hs-CRP were significantly correlated with HbA1c (r=0.38), fasting plasma glucose (r=0.40), triglyceride (r=0.20), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.12), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=-0.12). No correlation was found for total cholesterol (r=0.06). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the cut-off points for hs-CRP levels for prediction of DCVCCxs were 2.89, 2.25, 2.10, 2.25, and 2.82mg/L, for coronary arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, respectively.

Conclusions: Our data showed that DCVCCxs were associated with hs-CRP in patients with DM. The cut-off point for hs-CRP can be used to predict association with DCVCCxs. Well-controlled metabolic components in diabetic patients, especially HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and triglyceride may reduce the level of hs-CRP.