Hs-CRP and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risk: A meta-analysis

Atherosclerosis. 2017 Apr:259:75-82. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.02.003. Epub 2017 Feb 9.

Abstract

Background and aims: Inconsistent findings have been reported on the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and mortality risk. The objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association of elevated baseline hs-CRP levels with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risk in the general population.

Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for studies published from inception to October 2016. Prospective observational studies were eligible if they reported the effects of elevated baseline hs-CRP levels on cancer-related, cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in the general population. The pooled adjusted risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) comparing the highest to the lowest category of hs-CRP levels was used as association measures.

Results: A total of 83,995 participants from 14 studies were identified. When comparing the highest to the lowest category of hs-CRP levels, the pooled RR was 1.25 (95% CI 1.13-1.38) for cancer-related mortality, 2.03 (95% CI 1.65-2.50) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.75 (1.55-1.98) for all-cause mortality, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the effect of elevated hs-CRP levels on cancer-related mortality was observed in men (RR 1.26; 95% CI 1.11-1.43) but not in women (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.83-1.27).

Conclusions: Elevated hs-CRP levels can independently predict risk of all-cause, cardiovascular mortality in the general population. However, the gender differences in the predictive role of hs-CRP on cancer mortality should to be further investigated.

Keywords: All-cause mortality; Cardiovascular mortality; High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; Meta-analysis.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality*
  • Cause of Death
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / blood*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Up-Regulation
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein