Association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with carotid artery intima-media thickness in hypertensive older adults

Hypertension is a major traditional risk factor for atherosclerosis. Increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is considered to be a noninvasive marker of global atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this study is to assess the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and carotid artery IMT among hypertensive older adults. A case-control study was done on 90 adults age 60 years and older, of which 60 were hypertensive (30 males and 30 females) and 30 were matched healthy controls. Measurements included conventional cardiovascular risk factors including obesity parameters, blood pressure, lipid profiles, smoking habits, the serum concentrations of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), and the carotid artery IMT. Hypertensive patients had higher body mass index, Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and hs-CRP level (P < .001) than the control group. Carotid artery IMT was significantly higher among the hypertensive group (P < .001). hs-CRP and hypertension duration were positively correlated to carotid IMT among the hypertensive group. All of the other factors failed to show a significant relationship with the carotid IMT. These results suggest inflammation, as measured by hs-CRP level, is associated with carotid artery IMT among hypertensive adults rather than other traditional risk factors. J Am Soc Hypertens 2011;5(5):395-400. (C) 2011 American Society of Hypertension. All rights reserved.