Physical Activity and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
published online 17 November 2008.
Background
Previous studies have suggested an inverse relationship between physical activity and markers of inflammation such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). However, these were inconsistent, and few examined whether race and gender influenced the relationship. This study determined a cross-sectional association between physical activity and hs-CRP level in 6142 middle-aged white, Chinese, black, and Hispanic participants enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis in 2000–2002.
Methods
Combined moderate and vigorous physical activity was measured by self-reported leisure, conditioning, occupational, and household activities. ANCOVA was used to assess the association between moderate/vigorous physical activity and hs-CRP by gender and race.
Results
Hs-CRP was higher in women. Blacks had the highest hs-CRP, and Chinese participants had the lowest. Hs-CRP decreased across tertiles of moderate/vigorous physical activity in Hispanic men in models adjusted for age, education, study site, and physical activity questionnaire mode of administration (p=0.005) and further adjusted for smoking, infection, and aspirin use (p=0.020). The trend remained significant after further adjustment for BMI; blood pressure; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; diabetes; and the use of antihypertensive, statin, and diabetes medication (p=0.044). There was a downward trend in hs-CRP across tertiles of physical activity in black and white men, but the association was weaker. No clear trend was observed in any female racial/ethnic groups.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that the association between moderate/vigorous physical activity and hs-CRP differs by race and gender. Further studies are needed to confirm this and to examine the mechanisms for these race and gender differences.
aDivision of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
bDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
cDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Darcy S. Majka, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 240 East Huron M-200, Chicago IL 60611
ABSTRACT