C-Reactive Protein Reassessed

Abstract

In this issue of the Journal, Danesh and colleagues report that elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with only a moderate increase in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).¹ Although these findings are in line with those of other large studies, the independent relative risk associated with increased CRP levels is considerably less than in some earlier reports. Using a multivariate analysis, the authors found that the predictive value of CRP measurement adds relatively little to that provided by assessments of traditional risk factors. In contrast, a smaller study suggested that the CRP level could be more . . .