Reduction in Serum High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Favors Kidney Outcomes in Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose or Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether the reduction in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) favors kidney outcomes. METHODS: This study was a subanalysis including patients with impaired fasting glucose or diabetes of the Kailuan cohort study. The predictor was based on two consecutive visits of hs-CRP levels in 2006 and 2008. A total of 3924 patients with hs-CRP ≥ 3 mg/L in 2006 were divided into two groups according to whether the levels of hs-CRP were reduced in 2008: Group 1: no reduction: hs-CRP ≥ 3 mg/L in 2008; Group 2: reduction: hs-CRP < 3 mg/L in 2008. Kidney outcomes include kidney function decline and development and progression of proteinuria and were followed up until the end of 2015. RESULTS: There were 3905, 2049, and 493 patients included into our analysis for the outcomes of kidney function decline and the development and progression of proteinuria, respectively. A total of 398, 297, and 47 events occurred after 5 years of follow-up, respectively. Cox regression revealed that patients with reduction in hs-CRP have lower risk of kidney function decline (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.89, and P = 0.002) and development of proteinuria (0.77, 0.61-0.99, and P = 0.038) after controlling for potential confounders as compared to those with no reduction in hs-CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in serum hs-CRP levels favors kidney outcomes in patients with impaired fasting glucose or diabetes.