Inflammation is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). It has been suggested that the measurement of markers of inflammation may aid in predicting the risk of such events. Here, the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and MACE in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes is assessed. A retrospective cohort study was conducted as a follow-up among 1,558 patients with type 2 diabetes and without cardiovascular diseases over a mean period of 55.5 months. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to determine whether increased hs-CRP levels are useful as a predictor for future MACE. The hazard ratio of MACE was 1.77 (95% CI; 1.16-2.71) in subjects who had the highest hs-CRP levels (> 0.21 mg/dL) compared to subjects who had the lowest hs-CRP levels (< 0.08 mg/dL), after adjusting for age, regular physical activity, current smoking, and duration of diabetes. The present results indicate that high hs-CRP levels can act as a predictor for the MACE occurrence in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.
Keywords: C-Reactive protein; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hazard Ratio.