Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with carotid intima-media thickness, but not with microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes

Kang, Eun Seok; Kim, Hyeung Jin; Lee, Sihoon; Kim, Hae Jin; Kim, Yoo Mee; Hur, Kyu Yeon; Shim, Wan Sub; Ahn, Cheol Woo; Cha, Bong Soo; Lim, Sung Kil; Lee, Hyun Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is more sensitive than standard CRP assay in evaluating a risk of coronary heart diseases and other atherosclerotic events. By this time, there are several reports that type 2 diabetic subjects have higher level of hsCRP than non-diabetic subjects. However, there are few reports about factors which have influence upon the level of serum hsCRP in type 2 diabetic subjects. We had evaluated the association of serum hsCRP level with risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetic subjects.
METHODS
105 patients (59 men and 46 women) with type 2 diabetes were recruited, and subjects with severe cardiovascular diseases were excluded. All subjects were undergone carotid ultrasonography for evaluation of carotid IMT. Serum hsCRP concentrations were measured. For evaluation of microvascular complications, fundus photography, nerve conduction velocity test were performed, and 24-hour urine protein/albumin excretion amounts were measured.
RESULTS
Serum hsCRP level was correlated with mean left IMT (r=0.366, p=0.003), maximal left IMT (r=0.370, p=0.002), mean right IMT (r=0.281, p=0.023) and maximal right IMT (r=0.370, p=0.002). Body mass index (r=0.377, p<0.001), waist circumference (r=0.342, p<0.001), waist-hip ratio (r=0.229, p=0.020), serum total cholesterol (r=0.202, p=0.024), serum triglyceride (r=0.292, p=0.022) and serum low density lipoprotein (r=0.133, p=0.044). There was no difference of serum hsCRP level between groups with or without retinopathy (1.26+/-0.83 vs 1.13+/-1.13 mg/L, p=0.704), neuropathy (1.30+/-1.27 vs 0.88+/-0.80 mg/L, p=0.203) or nephropathy (1.10+/-0.93 vs 1.06+/-1.06 mg/L, p=0.863).
CONCLUSION
We conclude that serum hsCRP level is correlated with carotid IMT and the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, and may be useful to predict accelerated atherosclerotic process in type 2 diabetic subjects. But, diabetic microvascular complications do not effect on the level of serum hsCRP.