The aim of this study was to measure the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and examine their relationship with traditional risk factors of the coronary heart disease. Methods and participants. We examined a group of 150 males aged between 18 and 24. Each participant underwent physical examination and gave his previous medical history which included the place of residence, family background and current medication. In each case blood pressure was measured and body mass index (BMI) as well as waist/hip (W/H) ratio were established. The following biochemical parameters were measured in the serum of each participant: glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A-I and B (Apo A, Apo B), uric acid and C-reactive protein. LDL-cholesterol level was obtained from Friedewald's formula. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured by automatic DADE-Behring nefelometer.

Results: The results underwent variation, correlation and regression analyses. The mean age of participants was 20.5 +/- 1.2 years. The mean BMI, W/H ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as traditional coronary heart disease risk factors (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, Apo A, Apo B) were within reference range. The mean CRP level was 0.135 +/- 0.24 mg/dl. There was statistically significant positive correlation between CRP level and W/H ratio. There was statistically significant negative correlation between CRP level and HDL-cholesterol and Apo-A levels. There was no statistically significant correlation between CRP level and smoking.

Conclusions: Our study confirmed findings by other authors that there is a relationship between CRP level and other coronary heart disease factors such as W/H ratio and HDL-cholesterol. The lack of relationship between CRP level and smoking remains consistent with previous findings of Onat and Mendall. The mean CRP level in our study group was similar to CRP levels observed in large European populations.