Association of markers of systemic inflammation, C reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen, with socioeconomic status

Abstract

Study objective: Systemic inflammation may play an important part in the development of cardiovascular disease. It has also been shown that socioeconomic status predicts cardiovascular events independently of established risk factors. The aim of this study was to analyse the association of three sensitive markers of systemic inflammation: C reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A protein (SAA), and fibrinogen, with socioeconomic status. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Eastern and southern Finland. Participants: 1503 men aged 45 to 74 years who participated in a cardiovascular risk factor survey in 1997. Based on the levels of education and family income, the men were classified to three socioeconomic groups. Main results: Mean concentrations of CRP (p for the trend Conclusions: Systemic inflammation is a potential mediator, especially among young and middle aged men, for the association between socioeconomic status and cardiovascular disease.