Association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with other risk factors of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients in the southern part of Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: Markers of low-grade inflammation such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP) have been reported to be increased in individuals with hypertension. This study evaluated HSCRP levels and their correlation with other cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive patients.Design: A cross-sectional study conducted in a hospital between October 2022 and March 2024.Setting: The study was conducted at a secondary health facility in southern Nigeria.Participants: The study recruited 400 participants, comprising 300 hypertensive and 100 normotensive individuals. Demographic and clinical data were collected with a structured interviewer-administered questionnaireMain outcome measures: Serum concentration of HSCRP and its correlation with blood pressure, obesity measures and other risk factors of cardiovascular disease.Results: Mean HSCRP was significantly higher in hypertensives than in controls (4.33 ± 3.52 vs 1.53 ± 1.51 mg/L, p < 0.001). Hypertension was associated with moderate and high risk of cardiovascular disease (based on HSCRP levels). There were statistically significant weak correlations between HSCRP and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.178, p = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.146, p = 0.011), body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.123, p = 0.033) and waist circumference (WC) (r = 0.131, p = 0.023) in the hypertensive population.Conclusion: Serum levels of HSCRP were significantly higher in the hypertensives than in the normotensive controls, and hypertension was associated with moderate and high risk of cardiovascular disease. HSCRP has a significant weak positive correlation with BMI and WC.