[Impact of C-reactive protein on cardiovascular risk in adolescents].

BACKGROUND Several studies suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with coronary artery disease in adults. However, this association has not been thoroughly explored in cases of adolescents. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between CRP and cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescents. METHODS Eighty-four adolescents (12.6 +/- 1.3 years) of both genders were divided into the following groups: Normal weight (n = 28), Overweight (n = 28), and Obese (n = 28), according to body mass index (BMI). CRP levels (ultrasensitive ELISA), the lipid profile, and anti-oxLDL antibody levels (ELISA) were determined after a 12-hour fast. RESULTS The groups were similar in age (p = 0.13) and gender (p = 0.83). Total cholesterol, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C showed significant differences between Normal weight and Obese groups. There was no significant variation in anti-oxLDL levels. CRP values were different among the three groups (p < 0.01). CRP levels showed a significant association with BMI (beta = 2.533), AC (beta = 2.645), WC (beta = 2.945), TC (beta = 0.006), LDL-C (beta = 0.006), and anti-oxLDL antibodies (beta = 0.383), and a negative association with HDL-C (beta = -0.017). CONCLUSION The results indicate that CRP is significantly associated with markers of cardiovascular risk in adolescents.