Family history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease and C-reactive protein concentration: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000

Am J Prev Med. 2005 Dec;29(5 Suppl 1):57-62. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2005.07.018.

Abstract

Background: Prospective studies have suggested that C-reactive protein concentration is associated with diabetes and coronary heart disease. The presence of a family history of diabetes or coronary heart disease is considered a risk factor for these conditions. Whether a family history of diabetes or coronary heart disease is associated with C-reactive protein concentration is uncertain.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000, a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population. Family histories of diabetes and coronary heart disease were self-reported.

Results: In unadjusted analyses (n=3187), the geometric mean concentration of C-reactive protein was 1.7 mg/L, 1.9 mg/L, and 2.6 mg/L for participants with 0, 1, and > or = 2 relatives with diabetes, respectively (p for linear trend <0.001). After adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol concentration, body mass index, and alcohol intake, a family history of diabetes was not independently associated with C-reactive protein concentration (Wald chi-square p=0.228). Univariate and multivariate analyses of data on 3344 participants showed that a family history of coronary heart disease was not significantly associated with C-reactive protein concentration.

Conclusions: Family histories of diabetes or coronary heart disease were not independently associated with C-reactive protein concentration, suggesting that the association between such family histories and diabetes and coronary heart disease are not explained by C-reactive protein concentration or perhaps by inflammation. Additional study of this subject is recommended, however.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys*
  • United States

Substances

  • C-Reactive Protein