ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the risk prediction for new intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level. METHODS: In a retrospective, nested, case-controlled study, 323 cases of ICH were identified and matched with 646 controls. The hs-CRP levels at baseline were compared between the two groups. The relevance of different hs-CRP levels and the risk of ICH were analyzed. RESULTS: The ICH group had a higher median hs-CRP levels (1.10 mg/L) as compared with the control group (0.66 mg/L) with significant difference (P<0.01). In addition, the increase of risk associated with hs-CRP levels was primarily observed in the individuals with the highest quartile of hs-CRP levels (>2.12 mg/L). These patients had an increased risk of ICH (OR 2.58, 95%CI 1.77 to 3.76) as compared with those in the lowest quartile (≤0.30 mg/L). Individuals with baseline hs-CRP levels above the specified cut point of 3 mg/L or more and those in the 80th percentile were at a markedly increased risk of ICH (for specified cut point of 3 mg/L, OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.60 - 3.20, P<0.01; for 80th percentile, OR 2.24, 95%CI 1.60 - 3.13, P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of ICH might be predicted with the level of hs-CRP. With the increase of hs-CRP level at baseline, the risk of ICH was increased.
