Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein changes in patients with hepatitis C virus infection and its clinical significance

Objective To observe the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with hepatitis C virus infection,and to investigate the related clinical significance. Methods A total of 131 patients with hepatitis C virus infection and 131 healthy controls were enrolled and examined for circulating hs-CRP. Results The serum hs-CRP level was significantly lower in the 131 patients than those in the controls (1.059[0.001-8.582] mg/L vs. 4.690[0.005-12.616] mg/L,P0.05),and the level of serum hs-CRP were also significantly lower in 104 patients without cardiovascular abnormalities (abnormalities of history and /or ECG) than that in controls (1.013[0.001-5.425] mg/L vs. 4.170[0.007-13.426] mg/L,P0.05). In 27 HCV-infected patients complicated with cardiovascular abnormalities,the serum concentrations of hs-CRP were not significantly different from those of controls (9.851[0.005-13.443] mg/L vs. 8.614[0.006-11.438] mg/L,P=0.095]. Compared with 104 patients without cardiovascular abnormalities,27 patients with cardiovascular abnormalities had a significantly higher serum hs-CRP level (9.851[0.005-13.443] mg/L vs. 1.013[0.001-5.425] mg/L,P0.001). In addition,an hs-CRP level in the highest tertile was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular abnormalities,with the odd ratio being 2.798 (95% CI: 1.211-6.469,P=0.016). Conclusion The level of serum hs-CRP is decreased significantly in HCV-infected patients; however,a high hs-CRP level is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular abnormalities. The predictive value and application of hs-CRP as a surrogate cardiovascular risk marker should be evaluated in CVD patients in conjunction with HCV infection.