C-Reactive Protein Is an Independent Predictor of Mortality in Women With HIV-1 Infection

Abstract

The relationship of C-reactive protein (CRP) to mortality was assessed in 209 HIV-1-infected women after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, CD4 cell lymphocyte count, and HIV-1 RNA. During the follow-up period of up to 5 years (median = 45 months) there were 49 deaths. CRP at study enrollment was measured using a low sensitivity assay. CRP levels were only weakly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient r < .2) with other predictors of mortality. CRP was a powerful predictor of mortality (p < .01) after adjusting for age, BMI, serum albumin, CD4 cell lymphocytes, and HIV-1 RNA. The relative hazard associated with an elevated CRP level, independent of the covariates noted above, varied from 3.4- to 13.6-fold depending on how CRP values were grouped. CRP may be a useful and inexpensive predictor of HIV disease mortality in women.

State of the Science Conference

“…However, the specificity of such markers for the detection of CHD remains unclear in the HIV population. Although the CDC/AHA guidelines recommend the use of hsCRP among non HIV-infected patients with intermediate risk (49), this strategy requires validation in the HIV group, among whom hsCRP levels are increased, and shown to predict mortality in one cohort (50). Adiponectin levels are decreased with increasing abdominal adiposity and with lipoatrophy among HIV-infected patients (51), and have been shown to predict myocardial infarction in non HIV-infected patients (52).…”

What a Cardiologist Needs to Know About Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

“…25 C-reactive protein was an independent predictor of 5-year mortality in 1 small study of HIV-infected women. 95 The antiinflammatory effects of statins might thus contribute to any benefit these drugs might have in HIV patients, as they also might in patients without HIV disease.…”

Nutrition Guidelines for HIV-infected Adults and Children in Southern Africa

“…18 Despite the increased production of these cells, they are ultimately sacrificed to the virus. Eventually this progressive immune deficiency leads to life-threatening infections and cancers: the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).…”

“…For the clinician, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level help to define such periods. 18,19 Local and systemic cytokine levels rise and fall. Micronutrient concentrations mirror these changes.…”