Association between C-reactive protein level and peripheral arterial disease among US adults without cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hypertension

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory processes are implicated in the development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). C-reactive protein (CRP), a specific marker of inflammation, has been found to be related to CVD and subclinical atherosclerosis, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, it is not entirely clear whether CRP levels are related to subclinical CVD independent of traditional risk factors, including diabetes and hypertension. We examined the association between CRP levels and PAD among US adults free of CVD, diabetes, and hypertension. Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed among 1611 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 participants aged ≥40 years and without CVD, diabetes, or hypertension. Main outcome of interest was PAD defined as ankle-brachial index 0.54 mg/dL) to quartile 1 (