Serum C-reactive protein and fibrinogen concentrations and self-reported angina pectoris and myocardial infarction - Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III

C-reactive protein may predict the risk of cardiovascular disease, but its association with angina pectoris in the general population has not been cle arly established, however. We used data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III conducted from 1988-1994 to examine the associations between serum C-reactive protein and plasma fibrinogen concentrations and self-reported angina pectoris and myocardial infarction among 7,948 U.S. me n and women aged 40 years and older. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen conc entrations were moderately correlated (r = 0.43). After adjustment for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, smoking status, systolic blood pressure , serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, history of diabe tes mellitus, body mass index, and physical activity, fibrinogen (but not C -reactive protein) concentration was significantly associated with self-rep orted angina pectoris. Neither fibrinogen or C-reactive protein concentrati ons were significantly associated with angina pectoris when entered in the model simultaneously. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen concentrations were positively associated with myocardial infarction when entered separately i nto models, but only C-reactive protein concentration was significantly ass ociated with-myocardial infarction when both variables were entered simulta neously. These cross-sectional data showed a significant positive associati on between C-reactive protein concentration and myocardial infarction but n ot self-reported angina pectoris in the U.S. population. Published by Elsev ier Science, Inc.