High – Sensitivity C - reactive protein is associated with Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Indians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: India is experiencing twin epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases imposing huge toll on healthcare system. In type 2 diabetes 65-80% deaths occur due to cardiovascular disease whose etiology cannot be explained by chronic hyperglycemia, dyslipedemia and traditional cardiac risk factors. To improve risk stratification serum high-sensitivity C- reactive protein estimation is an adjunct to other risk factors. Study design: O.P.D. based Cross sectional study. Method: 100 patients of type 2diabetes and 100 healthy controls were selected and demographic data and anthropometric measures recorded. Fasting blood samples were assayed for serum lipid profile and high-sensitivity C- reactive protein. Result: In study group we observed clustering of multiple cardiac risk factors age, family history of cardiovascular disease in first degree relatives, obesity, smoking, and hypertension. Serum high-sensitivity C- reactive protein is raised significantly (p<0.001) in cases compared to controls and shows positive association with body mass index (r=0.531), waist: hip (r= 0.497), total cholesterol (r=0.523), triglycerides (r=621), low density lipoprotein (r=0.432) while negative correlation with high density lipoprotein(r=- 0.54). Conclusion: Identification and management of subclinical atherosclerosis by serum high-sensitivity C- reactive protein assay and traditional risk factors remain at cornerstone in patients of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.