Serum C-reactive protein and self-reported stroke - Findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

C-reactive protein may predict the risk of coronary heart disease, but its association with stroke has not been well studied. We used data from the Th ird National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 1988 t o 1994, to examine the association between serum C-reactive protein concent rations and self-reported past history of stroke among 8850 US men and wome n aged greater than or equal to 40 years. The unadjusted geometric mean of C-reactive protein concentration was higher among participants with stroke than those without stroke (0.45+/-0.02 versus 0.32+/-0.01, P<0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, smoking status, systo lic blood pressure, serum cholesterol, high density Lipoprotein cholesterol , history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and physical activity, the odds ratio for stroke among participants with C-reactive protein concentra tions greater than or equal to 0.55 mg/dL compared with participants with c oncentrations less than or equal to 0.21 mg/dL was 1.71 (95% CI 1.11 to 2.6 4 [odds ratio per mg/dL 1.19, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.34]). These cross-sectional data support findings from. other studies suggesting that C-reactive protei n concentration may be a risk factor or marker for stroke in the US populat ion.