ABSTRACT
ntroduction: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an emerging risk marker for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In Malaysia, CVD has become a major health problem and the risk factors of CVD have also increased among the middle-aged. Thus, this study aimed to determine factors that influence the level of hs-CRP among Malaysian adults aged 30-55 years-old. Methods: One-hundred and twenty-two (n=122) adults working at an institution were selected systematically in this cross-sectional study. Body weight, height, hip and waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hs-CRP level, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and total cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein ratio were calculated. Results: The sample consisted of 40.2% male and 59.8% female subjects with a mean age ± SD of 41.93 � 8.26 years. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed significant positive correlations between log hs-CRP level (mean ± SD = 0.22 ± 0.50 mg/L; 95% CI = 0.13 - 0.31) and age, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein ratio. However, multivariate analysis showed only BMI (R = 0.489, R2 = 0.239, adjusted R2 = 0.232, F = 37.626, p 30 kg/ m2) subjects (ANOVA p< 0.05) compared to normal weight subjects.