The association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration and diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration and diabetic nephropathy (DN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched Pubmed, Medline and Embase databases up to September, 2014 for the relevant studies. Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated by Cochran's Q test and I-2 statistic. The standard mean difference (SMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were combined to evaluate the effect size. Sensitivity analysis was also performed by omitting each study to evaluate the stability of the results. In addition, publication bias was tested by Egger's test. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies containing 1 331 cases and 1 779 controls were included in this study. Significant heterogeneities were observed in our results. The result of meta-analysis showed that the hs-CRP concentrations in DN patients were significantly higher than that in controls of healthy people and diabetes mellitus (DM) patients without nephropathy. In addition, the hs-CRP concentration in macroalbuminuria (D3) group was significantly higher than that in microalbuminuria (D2) group and non-albuminuria group (D1). Sensitivity analysis revealed that the results were stable. As well, no publication bias was observed in our results. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that hs-CRP concentration can be an indicator of DN in DM patients.