Age-independent association between high-sensitivity c-reactive protein and blood pressure in middle-aged adults

Abstract

Background/Aim. Increasingly evidence showed that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a reliable biomarker in patients with hypertension. While the relationship between hypertension and age is well established, the connection between hs-CRP and age remains unclear. The aim of the study was to determine a relationship between hs-CRP and age in middle-aged people. Methods. This crosssectional survey was conducted in Shanghai, China, and included data from 1,677 healthy male participants aged 18 to 50 years and 1,127 healthy female participants aged 19 to 49 years, who were recruited during routine health examinations. The hs-CRP, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were recorded. Results. The participants were first separated into four age quartile groups, and an increase in BMI, SBP, and DBP was observed, but not in hs-CRP. Next, the participants were divided into four hs-CRP quartile groups and an increase in BMI, SBP, and DBP was noted, but not in age. Finally, using Pearson correlation, positive correlations were found between hs-CRP, BMI, SBP, and DBP, but no correlation was seen between age and hs-CRP. Conclusion. The authors showed that age is likely a confounding factor that has a correlation with SBP, DBP, and BMI, but it does not have a direct correlation with hs-CRP.