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Genetically Elevated CRP Levels Not Associated with Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Although polymorphisms in the gene for C-reactive protein are associated with increased CRP levels, they are not associated with increased cardiovascular risk, the New England Journal of Medicine reports.

Researchers studied four cohorts comprising nearly 51,000 Danish adults who had either ischemic heart disease or ischemic cerebrovascular disease or who served as controls. They found that CRP levels above 3 mg/L were associated with increased cardiovascular risk, relative to levels under 1 mg/L. They also found that CRP polymorphisms, as assessed through genotyping, were associated with increased plasma CRP. However, CRP polymorphisms themselves did not confer increased risk for either ischemic heart disease or ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

The authors and editorialists conclude that, based on these findings, CRP likely does not cause atherosclerosis but rather is simply a marker of disease. Accordingly, in Journal Watch Cardiology, Beat Meyer concludes: "Future drugs targeting CRP are unlikely to provide any preventive benefit."

LINK(S):

NEJM article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)

NEJM editorial (Subscription required)

Journal Watch Cardiology summary (Free)

Published in Physician's First Watch October 30, 2008