posted 08/05/02
Research has shown cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in patients with type 1 diabetes. However, factors to determine this risk have not been fully evaluated. A new study finds elevated levels of C-reactive protein could pinpoint young diabetics at risk for atherosclerosis.
C-reactive protein is released by the body in response to injury, infection or other inflammation. Researchers from Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan examined whether C-reactive protein is associated with carotid atherosclerosis. The carotid artery is one of the major blood vessels that bring blood to the head and neck.
For the study, researchers evaluated 55 patients with type 1 diabetes and 75 healthy patients. The thickness of the carotid artery and the levels of C-reactive protein were measured in the patients.
Researchers found patients with type 1 diabetes had significantly higher C-reactive protein levels. They also report the diabetic patients had higher degrees of thickness in their carotid artery.
The authors feel this study clearly shows that elevated C-reactive protein levels are associated with early stage atherosclerosis in young patients with diabetes. Therefore, they feel low grade inflammation associated with C-reactive levels may be a risk factor for the beginning of cardiovascular disease in young diabetics.
Source: Ivanhoe Newswire: Diabetes, 2002;25:1432-1438.