Correlation between LDL-cholesterol and C-reactive protein among an apparently healthy population in the city of Athens

摘要

Background: The atherogenic LDL is an impor-tant generative cause for the endothelial dys-function and the configuration of the athero-sclerotic lesions. CRP is a sensitive marker of inflammation on the vascular wall, but also seems to participate in the atheromatic process. The correlation between LDL and CRP could form valuable guidelines for the initiation of a treatment with statins for individuals with an increased risk of ischemic incidents. Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate a pos-sible correlation between LDL and CRP in an important number of apparently healthy indi-viduals. Methods: The study material consisted of the test results of 260 male and 484 female adults with normal LDL levels who were clini-cally healthy. The correlation between the LDL and the CRP values of this group was investi-gated in this group and CRP was compared with the respective values of a group of 60 male and 204 female adults with elevated LDL levels. Re-sults: It was ascertained that there is not a sta-tistically important correlation between LDL and CRP values in all groups (men, women, total) of the population with normal LDL levels. Addi-tionally, the CRP mean values were not statisti-cally different between the individuals with normal and raised LDL. Conclusion: A number of causes are incriminated for the results. More studies are definitely needed for the confirma-tion of the results, particularly if the findings could lead to the formation of guidelines for the application of a treatment in people with normal LDL levels but increased CRP levels.