AUTHOR=Jiang Zhimeng , Jiang Huixin , Zhu Xingyu , Zhao Donglin , Su Feifei TITLE=The relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and gallstones: a cross-sectional analysis JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine VOLUME=11 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1453129 DOI=10.3389/fmed.2024.1453129 ISSN=2296-858X ABSTRACT=Background and objective

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a classical indicator of inflammation, holds significant clinical value in various diseases. The relationship between hs-CRP and gallstones, however, remains poorly studied at present. The relationship between hs-CRP and gallstones will be investigated in this study.

Methods

Data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed, focusing on participants aged 20 years and older who provided complete hs-CRP and gallstone information. Due to the skewed distribution of hs-CRP, the data were log-transformed [Log (hs-CRP)] to achieve normalization. Logistic regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and smoothed fitted curves were applied to determine the relationship between Log (hs-CRP) and the presence of gallstones.

Results

The study included 4,484 participants with an average Log (hs-CRP) of 1.18 ± 0.74. The prevalence of gallstones was 11.15%, increasing with higher Log (hs-CRP) levels (quartile 1: 8.31%; quartile 2: 8.76%; quartile 3: 11.98%; quartile 4: 16.36%; p < 0.0001). Adjusting for all covariates in Model 3, each 10-fold increase in hs-CRP [corresponding to a one-unit increase in log10 (hs-CRP)] corresponded to a 29% increased odds of gallstones prevalence [1.29 (1.12–1.49)]. The smoothed fitted curve showed a positive linear relationship between Log (hs-CRP) and gallstones prevalence. The results of subgroup analyses exhibited a more pronounced positive correlation in the 20–40 age group [1.70 (1.33, 2.16)], compared to those aged 40–60 years [1.22 (1.01, 1.48)], and 60–80 years [1.14 (0.98, 1.34)].

Conclusion

Higher Log (hs-CRP) levels are linked to a greater prevalence of gallstones. We still need to carry out further large prospective research to explore the causal relationship of this association.