Distribution and determinants of serum high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein in a population of young adults. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

. Objectives. Elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) is a suggested risk marker for cardiovascular disease. We aimed at investigating the distribution and determinants of CRP levels in young adults. Design. Population‐based study. Subjects. A total of 2120 participants aged 24–39 years. Main outcome measures. Distribution of CRP, and the relationship between CRP and risk factors. Results. CRP concentration (mean ± SD) was 1.43 ± 3.26 mg L−1 in men, 1.36 ± 2.36 mg L−1 in women who did not use oral contraceptives (OC) and 3.69 ± 6.01 mg L−1 in women who used OCs. In total, 8.8% of men, 10.3% of non‐OC user women and 35.3% of OC user women had CRP concentration >3 mg L−1 (recommended cut‐off point of high risk for cardiovascular disease). In univariate analysis, CRP was associated with obesity indices and physical activity amongst both sexes. In men, the multivariate correlates of CRP included waist circumference (P