C-Reactive Protein and Its Genetic Variant's Role in Heart Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Lawlor Debbie A., Harbord Roger M., Timpson Nic J., Lowe Gordon D. O., Rumley Ann, Gaunt Tom R., Baker Ian, Yarnell John W. G., Kivimäki Mika, Kumari Meena, Norman Paul E., Jamrozik Konrad, Hankey Graeme J., Almeida Osvaldo P., Flicker Leon, Warrington Nicole, Marmot Michael G., Ben-Shlomo Yoav, Palmer Lyle J., Day Ian N. M., Ebrahim Shah, Smith George Davey
Primary Institution: MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational Epidemiology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
Is C-reactive protein causally related to coronary heart disease?
Conclusion
The study found no association between the genetic variant rs1130864 related to C-reactive protein levels and coronary heart disease risk.
Supporting Evidence
- The pooled odds ratio of CHD per doubling of circulating CRP level was 1.13 (95%CI: 1.06, 1.21).
- Genotype (rs1130864) was associated with circulating CRP levels.
- The odds ratio for a doubling of CRP level was 1.04 (95%CI: 0.61, 1.80).
- There was no association of genotype (rs1130864) with CHD.
- The study included 18,637 participants with 4,610 cases of CHD.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether a protein in the blood called C-reactive protein causes heart disease, but it found no evidence that it does.
Methodology
The study pooled data from five studies to analyze the association of the CRP genetic variant +1444C>T (rs1130864) with CRP levels and coronary heart disease.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding factors were controlled for, but residual confounding may still exist.
Limitations
The study suggests that very large genetic association studies would be required to definitively rule out a causal association.
Participant Demographics
The study included 18,637 participants with 4,610 cases of coronary heart disease, with a mix of genders and ages.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p>0.6
Confidence Interval
95%CI: 1.06, 1.21
Statistical Significance
p>0.9
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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