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Prevalence and Contributors to Low‐grade Inflammation in Three U.S. Populations of Reproductive Age Women
Author(s) -
Sjaarda Lindsey A.,
Radin Rose G.,
Swanson Chandra,
Kuhr Daniel L.,
Mumford Sunni L.,
Galai Noya,
Silver Robert M.,
WactawskiWende Jean,
Perkins Neil J.,
Schisterman Enrique F.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
paediatric and perinatal epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3016
pISSN - 0269-5022
DOI - 10.1111/ppe.12409
Subject(s) - medicine , demography , inflammation , gerontology , sociology
Background Inflammation, measured by high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs CRP ), is linked to adverse reproductive outcomes. However, prevalence and predictors of low‐grade inflammation are poorly understood among reproductive age women. Therefore, the current aim was to characterize: (i) the prevalence of elevated hs CRP and (ii) whether the association of various demographic, anthropometric, life style, and metabolic characteristics with higher hs CRP varies across populations of reproductive age women with varying risk profiles for adverse reproductive outcomes. Methods Bivariate analysis of characteristics among women ages 18–40 having hs CRP <2.0 vs. ≥2.0 mg/L in the BioCycle Study (N = 259), the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction Trial ( EAG eR) (N = 1228), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES ; N = 2173) were conducted. Multivariable regression analysis estimated the association of all characteristics to hs CRP within each cohort. Results Prevalence of hs CRP ≥2 mg/L ranged from 20 to 40%. Age, BMI , waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and insulin were frequently higher in women with hs CRP ≥2 mg/L. In multivariable models, however, only adiposity ( BMI , waist circumference) was independently associated with hs CRP within all three cohorts. Some variables showed cohort‐specific associations with higher hs CRP : white race ( EAG eR), higher fasting glucose (BioCycle), and lesser education and employment ( NHANES ). The total characteristics explained 28–46% of the variation in hs CRP across the three cohorts. Conclusions Low‐grade inflammation was common, including among predominantly non‐obese women, affecting from 20 to 40% of reproductive age women. Given the potential to reduce inflammation through inexpensive, widely available therapies, examination of the impact of chronic inflammation on reproductive and pregnancy outcomes, as well as preventive interventions, are now needed.