Associations between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and non-communicable diseases in an Asian population: findings from the IFLS study. (18th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Juber, Nirmin; Lee, Chien-Chang; Liu, Jason J.
• Is Part Of: Biomarkers. Volume 26:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 548
• Page End: 556
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18
• Subjects: C-reactive protein -- hs-CRP -- non-communicable diseases -- inflammation -- epidemiology -- Asian; Biochemical markers -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1080/1354750X.2021.1936177
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-750X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: There has been no comprehensive study on how high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, a biomarker of inflammation, are associated with subsequent diagnoses of various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Asians. Our study is the first to do so to better compare these associations in an Asian population. Methods: This is a nationwide longitudinal study of 3, 410 male and 4, 004 female participants of the RAND Indonesian Family Life Survey with a mean age of 42.4 years, to examine associations between increasing hs-CRP levels and risks of heart diseases, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, non-cancerous stomach or other digestive diseases, and non-cancerous kidney diseases. We used unadjusted and confounding-adjusted weighted Poisson regression models to respectively examine associations involving hs-CRP as a risk predictor or indicator of chronic inflammation. Several stratified subpopulation analyses were also performed. Results: Increasing hs-CRP levels predicted significantly higher risks of being diagnosed with all of the studied NCDs except stomach or other digestive diseases. After adjusting for confounding, increasing hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with higher risks of diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, and kidney diseases. Conclusions: Our comprehensive findings on the associations between hs-CRP levels and risks of several NCDs in Asians may have clinical implications and promote additional studies on this topic.