High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the EXAMINE (Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes With Alogliptin Versus Standard of Care) Trial

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by utilizing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with type 2 diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Study participants enrolled in the EXAMINE trial, were stratified by baseline hsCRP levels (3 mg/l) and were also sub-divided into 4 groups according to baseline hsCRP (≤3 or >3 mg/l) and achieved LDL-C (3 mg/l, respectively (P3 mg/l, the adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.42 (1.13, 1.78; P=0.002) for MACE compared with patients with hsCRP <1 mg/l. MACE cumulative incidences were 11.0% (128 events), 14.4% (100 events), 15.6% (194 events), and 21.3% (182 events) in patients with low LDL-C and low hsCRP, low LDL-C and high hsCRP, high LDL-C and low hsCRP, and high LDL-C and high hsCRP levels, respectively (P