Influence of atherosclerosis-related risk factors on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with type 2 diabetes: Comparison of their influence in obese and non-obese patients.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION Increased levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) likely leads to the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is very important to know which factors largely influence hs-CRP levels. In the present study, we examined the influence of various atherosclerosis-related factors on hs-CRP levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 275 patients (176 men, 99 women) were enrolled in this study. We tested the relationship between the number of risk factors reaching a desired value and hs-CRP levels. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to carry out overall group comparisons, and the Steel-Dwass test was used to carry out between-group comparisons. Spearman's rank correlation was carried out to study the correlation between hs-CRP levels and clinical parameters. Multivariate regression method was used to analyze the factors independently contributing to hs-CRP levels. RESULTS Hs-CRP levels were lower in patients with a larger number of risk factors reaching a desired value. In particular, triglyceride and body mass index (BMI) were independent risk factors determining hs-CRP levels in a multivariate regression analysis. Furthermore, we compared the influence of various factors on hs-CRP levels in both obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m(2)) and non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes (BMI <25 kg/m(2)). In obese groups, BMI and urinary albumin were independent risk factors determining hs-CRP levels, whereas triglyceride and statin were independent risk factors in non-obese patients. CONCLUSIONS There is some difference in the factors responsible for hs-CRP levels in obese and non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes.