The presence of intra-abdominal (visceral) obesity is associated with a cluster of metabolic disturbances, including elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High CRP concentrations are also per se associated with elevated CVD risk. The contribution of CRP to carotid atherosclerosis, independent of intra-abdominal obesity, was investigated in nondiabetic men with intra-abdominal obesity (waist circumference > 94 cm). In the cohort of 439 men, there was a weak but significant correlation between waist circumference and CRP levels (r=0.20, p2.5 mg/l were matched for age and waist circumference with 20 men with CRP < 1.8 mg/l. Although the maximum vessel wall in men with elevated CRP concentrations was significantly higher than in men with low CRP levels, there was no difference in intra-abdominal adipose tissue accumulation between the two groups. Thus, elevated CRP concentrations may be associated with carotid atherosclerosis independent of intra-abdominal obesity.
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