203660 Relation of C-reactive Protein to Aortic Valve Calcification in African Americans: (the Jackson Heart Study)

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Jung Hye Sung, ScD , Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Jae Eun Lee, Dr PH , RTRN Data Technology Coordinating Center, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Ervin R. Fox, MD, MPH , University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Tandaw Samdarshi , University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Harsha Nagarajarao , University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Khushboo Agrawal , University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Herman A. Taylor, MD, MPH, FACC, F , Jackson Heart Study, Principal Investigator, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Background: There are limited data on the role of systemic inflammation as an early marker of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in African Americans and results of studies that have analyzed the association between them are varied.

Purpose: We investigated the relation of C-reactive protein (CRP) to aortic valve calcification (AVC), in the population-based cohort of the Jackson Heart Study.

Methods: AVC was defined as visible valvular thickening and nodular calcification and an antegrade peak velocity less than 2.5 m/s.

Results: The study cohort consisted of 4,267 participants (mean age 55±13 years, 64% women). Total of 5.1% of participants met the criteria for AVC. The prevalence of diabetes, CVD, carotid plaque, and hypertension among AVC group is higher than those of non-AVC group (OR=2.0 (p<0.0001), OR=2.5 (p<0.0001), OR=3.0 (p<0.0001), and OR=4.2 (p<0.0001), respectively). Using logistic regression model after controlling for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, diabetes, total/HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking, antihypertensive therapy, lipid lowering therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and prevalent cardiovascular disease events, CRP was significantly related to AVC (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: In this study investigating the relation of CRP to AVC in a population-based cohort of middle-aged African Americans, we found that CRP was significantly related to AVC adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Learning Objectives:
• Describe the prevalence of aortic valve calcification among African-Americans • Investigate the relationship between hs-crp and aortic valve calcification among African-Americans

Keywords: African American, Chronic (CVD)

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a co-author.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Chronic Disease Epidemiology Poster Session
See more of: Epidemiology