Role of C - Reactive Protein as an Inflammatory Marker in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Case – Control Study in Erbil- Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Background and aim: Inflammation has been long regarded as a key contributor to atherosclerosis. Recent decades have provided extensive and mounting evidence concerning the pivotal interplay between inflammation and CAD, reinforcing the concept of inflammation not only as a risk marker but also as a risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Methods: This was a case control study that has been enrolled among 404 patients, divided into two different groups (case-CAD patients and control group-Patients with Normal Coronary Angiography) that presented to Catheterization unit of Surgical Specialty Hospital- Cardiac Center/ Erbil City-Iraq from 1 Sept 2021 to 1 Jan 2022. Results: A total of 404 patients of case and control group was included from both genders, the mean age was 55.9 ±10.6, ranging from 30 to 77 years of age, based on their coronary angiographic profile 57.4% of them were Coronary Artery Disease cases and 42.6% were controls. (58.4%) of the study population were males and (41.6%) were females. The mean of CRP level amongst cases were higher (6.2 ± 10) than the controls (3.5 ± 4.7), and this was significant with a P = 0.022. In our study we found that Highly Sensitive-CRP was high amongst Case Group (Patients with CAD) by 70% while comparing to only 30% of Control group who had High CRP levels. And this was statistically significant with a P value of 0.003. Conclusion: The level of CRP was higher among patients with Coronary Artery Disease, than those with Normal Coronary Angiography. The level was higher among.