The Association between C-reactive Protein and Smoking Characteristics among Korean Men

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein is a substance that elevates when there is an abnormal metabolic reaction or inflammatory condition. Some researchers in Korea reported different results about the association between smoking and CRP. In this study, the relationship between CRP and various smoking characteristics among Korean men was investigated. METHODS: A data was analyzed in healthy men, who had visited a health promotion center in a university hospital from September, 2003, to December, 2003. CRP was quantitatively analyzed by high sensitivity-CRP. Elevated CRP (> or =2.2 mg/L) level in relation to various smoking characteristics were studied and multiple logistic regression analysis for elevated CRP (> or =2.2 mg/L) level was conducted. RESULTS: The number of current smokers was 893, past smokers 550, and non-smokers 413. The association between smoking status, daily smoking amount, duration of smoking (P=0.031, P=0.003, P=0.034) and elevated CRP level was shown by chi-square test. After multiple logistic regression analysis for risk factors, elevated CRP level was shwon to be associated with daily smoking amount in the current smokers, body fat percentage, WBC count and HDL-cholesterol. The odds ratios for elevated CRP level by smoking amount were 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.11~4.85) in those who smoked 10~19 cigarettes per day, 3.54 (95% confidence interval 1.64~7.63) in those who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day compared to those who smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day. CONCLUSION: Among current smokers, elevated CRP level was associated with daily smoking amount in the current smokers, This is the first study to report the relationship between CRP and smoking behaviors among Korean men.