Is C-reactive protein an independent risk factor for essential hypertension?

Context C-reactive protein (CRP), predicts coronary heart disease incidence in healthy subjects and has been associated with decreased endothelium-dep endent relaxation, a potential risk factor for hypertension. However, the r elationship between CRP and hypertension has not been studied. Objective To assess whether circulating levels of CRP are independently rel ated to essential hypertension. Design Cross-sectional population survey. We measured circulating levels of CRP, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors among participants. Bi nomial regression was used to calculate the adjusted effect of CRP on the p revalence of hypertension, Setting General community of Bucaramanga, Colombia. Participants A random sample of 300 subjects greater than or equal to 30 ye ars old, Main outcome measure Arterial blood pressure. Results Overall hypertension prevalence was 46.0%. The unadjusted prevalenc e of hypertension was 58.7% in the highest quartile of CRP, but only 34.7% in the lowest quartile. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, fam ily history of hypertension, fasting glycemia, sedentary behaviour, and alc ohol consumption, the prevalence hypertension was 1.14 [95% confidence inte rval (CI), 0.82, 1.58; P = 0.442], 1.36 (95% CI, 0.99, 1.87; P = 0.057) and 1.56 (95% CI, 1.14, 2.13; P = 0.005) times higher in subjects in the secon d, third and fourth quartiles of CRP, as compared to subjects in the first quartile. Conclusions Our results suggest, for the first time, that CRP level may be an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension. However, be cause of the cross-sectional nature of our study, this finding should be co nfirmed in prospective cohort studies, aimed at elucidating the role of CRP in the prediction, diagnosis and management of hypertension. J Hypertens 1 9:857-861 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.