ELEVATED LDL-C IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED HS CRP LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The mortality rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing gradually. It is now known that chronic low-grade inflammation, along with dyslipidemia, causes the formation and progression of atherosclerosis. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are known dyslipidemia and inflammation cardiometabolic risk factors (CVD) and their biomarkers. The main aim of this study is to assess the levels of serum LDL-C and hs-CRP among CVD patients and correlate the relationship between these two markers. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at tertiary care hospital. Using convenience sampling, 341 patients with clinically diagnosed cardiovascular disease aged 30-80 years were included in the study. Data was collected using demographic/clinical questionnaires and laboratory data from medical records. Laboratory methods were used to assess fasting blood samples for lows in LDL-C and hs-CRP. Data was analyzed using SPSS, with a p<0.05. Results: In this group of 341 people, 59.8% were found to have elevated levels of LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL) while hs CRP levels were elevated in 66.9% (hs-CRP >3 mg/L). The mean LDL-C level was 139.2 ± 32.8 mg/dL, while the mean hs-CRP level was 4.7 ± 1.9 mg/L. Patients with raised levels of LDL-C and patients with normal levels of LDL C had significantly different levels of hs-CRP concentration (5.1 ± 1.7 vs. 3.9 ± 1.5 mg/L, p < 0.01). This shows a positive clinically significant relationship between the two conditions (dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation). Conclusion: Most patients with cardiovascular disease had high LDL-C and hs-CRP levels. The strong association between these two biomarkers supports the idea of a link between dyslipidemia and inflammation as mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. Evaluation of LDL-C and hs-CRP together may improve cardiovascular risk prediction and may give more clinically useful information in addition to standard lipid testing. More and larger prospective studies are needed to evaluate their risk prediction of future adverse cardiovascular events.