C-reactive protein as a predictor of hypertension in the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study (CRISPS) cohort

J Hum Hypertens. 2012 Feb;26(2):108-16. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2010.125. Epub 2011 Jan 27.

Abstract

Inflammation contributes to the development of hypertension. Whether C-reactive protein (CRP) has a causal role in hypertension remains unknown. We studied the relationship between circulating CRP levels and hypertension. The role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP gene as determinants of its plasma levels and the propensity to develop hypertension was investigated. Plasma CRP and genotypes of nine SNPs were determined in 1925 unrelated subjects from the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study-2 (CRISPS-2) in 2000-2004. Among 1378 subjects normotensive in CRISPS-2, 1115 subjects had been followed up in CRISPS-3 after a median interval of 5.3 years, 236 of whom had developed hypertension. Plasma CRP was independently associated with the development of hypertension in CRISPS-3 (odds ratio per quartile=1.26, P=0.010). Six SNPs were associated with plasma CRP (all P<0.001). However, none of the SNPs was significantly associated with blood pressure, prevalent or incident hypertension, or change in blood pressure. In conclusion, plasma CRP predicts the development of hypertension. Genetic variants in the CRP gene are significantly associated with plasma CRP but not with hypertension. The future risk of hypertension is therefore more related to plasma CRP than SNPs in the CRP gene in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • C-Reactive Protein / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Haplotypes
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / blood
  • Hypertension / epidemiology*
  • Hypertension / immunology
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / epidemiology*
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood*
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • C-Reactive Protein