Association between C-reactive protein, anthropometric and lipid parameters among healthy normal weight and overweight postmenopausal women in Montenegro.

OBJECTIVE

Although C-reactive protein (CRP) is among the best cardiovascular disease risk predictors, data regarding the association of CRP and menopause are controversial. In this study, we measured CRP by a high-sensitivity method (hsCRP), cholesterol, lipoproteins, and triglycerides in normal and overweight postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hsCRP, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides, and lipoprotein (a) were measured in 30 normal weight and 60 overweight healthy postmenopausal women.

RESULTS

Significantly higher triglyceride and hsCRP levels (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001 respectively), together with lower HDL-c levels (P = 0.001) were found in overweight compared to normal weight women. In the overweight group, positive correlations of hsCRP were observed with age, body mass index and WC (P = 0.016, P = 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) and a negative correlation was observed with HDL-c (P = 0.007). In the normal weight group, positive correlations were found for hsCRP with age and WC (P = 0.023 and P = 0.014, respectively). WC was the best predictor of hsCRP level in both groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated hsCRP levels in conjunction with abnormal lipid profiles may be strongly associated with weight gain in postmenopausal women. Efforts to reduce obesity and inflammation in this group may help correct abnormal levels of hsCRP and lipids.