Levels of, and factors associated with, C-reactive protein in employees attending a company-sponsored cardiac screening program

BACKGROUND: Relatively limited contemporary information is available about the distribution of, and factors associated with, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in adult men and women. The purpose of our descriptive study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of this marker of inflammation in a sample of employed adults attending a worksite cardiovascular screening program. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 876 men and women between the ages of 21 and 77 years from 6 locations of the parent company. These individuals attended an employer-sponsored cardiovascular screening and wellness program during 2003. A standardized questionnaire was administered to all study participants, and a number of different coronary risk factors were measured. RESULTS: Approximately 25% of the study sample was classified as having elevated CRP levels (\u3e or =3 mg/l). Women, obese individuals, subjects with increasing heart rate and higher levels of serum triglycerides were more likely to have elevated concentrations of CRP than the corresponding comparison groups. Subjects who reported regularly exercising, individuals with a history of heart disease and those with lower total cholesterol levels were less likely to have elevated CRP levels. A relatively similar risk factor profile was noted in individuals without a self-reported history of prior cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our cross-sectional observational study suggest that the prevalence of elevated CRP levels in the general adult population is considerable. A number of demographic, comorbid and other factors are associated with this inflammatory marker of increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which demands increased attention and modification of potential predisposing factors