High-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥1mg/L correlates with the plasma atherogenic index and can identify hypertensive patients at increased cardiovascular risk

Abstract

Background: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a well-established inflammatory marker in cardiovascular risk stratification. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), calculated as the logarithm of the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, reflects qualitative lipoprotein alterations and plasma atherogenicity.

Objective: To investigate the association between hs-CRP levels and AIP in adult patients with arterial hypertension under regular treatment.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 330 adults with arterial hypertension. After a 12–14-hour fasting period, plasma hs-CRP, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol were measured, and AIP was calculated as log (TG/HDL-C) in mmol/L. Participants were stratified according to hs-CRP levels (<1 mg/L, 1–3 mg/L, and >3 mg/L) and classified by AIP (≤0.10 or >0.10). Differences between groups were assessed using Student’s t-test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Only 13% of participants presented normal AIP associated with hs-CRP <1 mg/L. Higher AIP values were observed in patients with hs-CRP ≥1 mg/L, with 36% showing hs-CRP levels between 1–3 mg/L and 51% >3 mg/L (p<0.05), indicating a significant association between systemic inflammation and atherogenic lipid profile.

Conclusion: hs-CRP levels ≥1 mg/L were associated with altered AIP, suggesting that subclinical inflammation correlates with increased plasma atherogenicity in hypertensive patients. The combined assessment of these markers may improve cardiovascular risk stratification.