An association between body mass index and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations is influenced by age in community-dwelling persons. (September 2013) - Kawamoto, Ryuichi
Background: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an acute phase reactant and a sensitive marker of inflammation. Age and adiposity can potentially promote the production of C-reactive protein (CRP). However, only a few studies have investigated any interaction between age and adiposity on hsCRP concentrations. Methods: We recruited 822 men (mean age, 61 ± 14 years) and 1097 women (63 ± 12 years) during their annual health examination from a single community. We cross-sectionally examined whether age, body mass index (BMI), and the interaction are significantly associated with hsCRP concentrations, independent of confounding factors. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses for hsCRP showed that in men, age ( β = 0.169, P < 0.001) and BMI ( β = 0.114, P = 0.004) as well as smoking status, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), uric acid, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly associated with hsCRP; and in women, age ( β = 0.203, P < 0.001) and BMI ( β = 0.225, P < 0.001) as well as HDL-C, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), uric acid, GGT and high-molecular weight adiponectin were significantly associated with hsCRP. In addition to their direct associations, the interaction between age and BMI was also a significant and independent determinant for hsCRP in both men ( F = 4.407, P = 0.036) and women ( F = 5.487, P = 0.019). In participants aged < 75 years, overweight (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m 2 ) persons were more likely to have a prevalence of elevated hsCRP concentrations (≥1.00 mg/L) compared with the normal-weight (BMI <22.0 kg/m 2 ), but such an association was not observed in those aged ≥75 years. Conclusions: Adiposity promotes low-grade systemic inflammation in community-dwelling persons aged <75 years.