Elevated serum C-reactive protein level is a risk factor for left ventricular diastolic abnormality: a community-based study

Background: To clarify the prevalence of and risk factors for preclinical left ventricular diastolic abnormality (LVDA) in our population, we have performed echocardiographic evaluations in combination with cardiovascular risk assessment in a community-based population. Methods: The study was carried out in a sample of 1,057 randomly selected subjects from the general population (age 40-79 years, mean 60 years). Doppler echocardiogram, blood tests, ECG and demographic measurement were completed in all subjects. Subjects were excluded if they were shown to have atrial fibrillation and/or unclear echocardiogram. The remaining 982 subjects (men = 466, women = 516; mean age 60 years) were included in the analysis. LVDA was defined by age-dependent partition variables of E/A and deceleration time. Results: The prevalence of LVDA was 17% in this population. The risk factors for LVDA were examined by a multivariate logistic analysis using risk assessment data. We found that serum CRP >=3 mg/L (odds ratio = 1.45; p =65 years (odds ratio = 3.34; p < 0.01), and hypertension (odds ratio = 1.45; p < 0.05) were significant predictors of LVDA. Conclusion: When compared with published data on western populations, the rate of LVDA is comparable in this population. The presence of elevated serum CRP level independently contributes to impairment of left ventricular relaxation.