A family history of Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased plasma levels of C-reactive protein in non-smoking healthy adult women

Aims The aim of our study was to test whether a family history of Type 2 diabetes (FH) in women is associated with plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP). Methods CRP plasma levels were measured in 162 women, aged 18–60 years; 95 had a positive family history of Type 2 diabetes in a parent or grandparent (FH+), and 67 gave no family history of this disease (FH−). Other measurements included: central fat accumulation, as evaluated by waist circumference; insulin resistance, as calculated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMAIR); systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lipids. Results CRP plasma levels were significantly higher in FH+ than in FH− subjects. Moreover, CRP was independently associated with age, body mass index, waist circumference, HOMAIR, and FH. Conclusions Our study, performed in a selected population of women free from well‐known risk factors for atherothrombosis, demonstrates that subjects with a family history of Type 2 diabetes have higher CRP plasma levels than age‐ and BMI‐matched controls with no family history. Our results show that a family history of Type 2 diabetes is an independent contributor of CRP concentrations, in addition to age, total fatness, central fat accumulation, and insulin resistance. Diabet. Med. 19, 689–692 (2002)