Serum hs-CRP Levels Do Not Correlate With Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is prevalent morbidity which is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Any means to add to the risk stratification strategies especially prior to the total arthroplasty operations is of great applicability in terms of patient safety and cost reduction. We investigated the correlation between serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, as a measure of CV risk, and common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as the cursor of underlying atherosclerosis. In a cross-sectional study, serum hs-CRP levels and common carotid IMT were determined in 68 patients with KOA. The mean serum hs-CRP level was 1.85±1.98 mg/L, and the mean carotid IMT was 0.67±0.16 centimeters with a Pearson’s R=0.016 (P=0.898). Using linear regression models, no correlation was found between hs-CRP and IMT. Findings indicate the poor ability of hs-CRP to predict underlying atherosclerosis in patients with KOA. Although hs-CRP has been shown to be a powerful prognostic tool in general and is associated with increased mortality in patients with KOA, its applicability to predict the atherosclerosis risk especially prior to operation is limited. Further investigation to find the best cost-effective non-invasive indicator of CV risk in patients with KOA is mandatory.