ABSTRACT
The association between C-reactive proteins [CRP], a marker of inflammation, and major coronary risk factors has been highlighted in several investigations. CRP is associated with acute cardiac events and can predict their occurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between CRP serum level and coronary artery disease [CAD] along with it's major risk factors, in patients with stable angina pectoris. In a cross-sectional case control study, CRP and major coronary risk factors including cholesterol, diabetes mellitus [DM] smoking and hypertension were evaluated in 200 angiographically documented CAD [case group] and 120 subjects with normal coronary arteries[control group]. Of 320 subjects 50 in both case and control groups were presented with a CRP >/= 6 mg/dl, with 30 [60%] female and 20 [40%] male patients. There was a significant association between CRP >/= 6 mg/dl and those with age>60 years [P=0.002], hypertensive subjects [P<0.05], diabetic patients [P<0.05], hypercholesterolemic patients [P<0.05], Low HDL [P<0.05] and smokers [P<0.05] in both the case and control groups. Multivariate analysis showed a significant correlation with CRP and angiographically documented CAD independent of coronary risk factors. The present study showed a significant relationship between C-reactive protein levels and coronary risk factors and also demonstrated an independent relationship between angiographically documented CAD and elevated CRP serum levels in patients with chronic stable ischemic heart disease