Abstract

Background
C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic low-grade inflammation, is frequently elevated in essential hypertension and predicts cardiovascular prognosis independently of conventional risk factors. The risk profile of white-coat hypertension is not yet completely clear. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) in white-coat hypertensive subjects.
Material and Method
Thirty-six age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched white-coat hypertensive subjects, 36 essential hypertensive patients, and 36 normotensive subjects were included in the study.
Results
Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the essential hypertensive and white-coat hypertensive groups than in the normotensive group (0.66+/-0.29, 0.47+/-0.32, and 0.27+/-0.22 mg/dl, respectively, p<0.001). It was also higher in the essential hypertensive group than in the white-coat hypertensive group (p=0.014).
Conclusions
Our data show that patients with white-coat hypertension have higher hs-CRP levels than normotensive patients and this may be an indication of increased risk.

Keywords: Leukocyte Count, Inflammation - complications, Hypertension - physiopathology, C-Reactive Protein - analysis, Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory