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Relation of C-reactive protein to stroke, cognitive disorders, and depression in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis
Kuo HK, Yen CJ, Chang CH, Kuo CK, Chen JH, Sorond F.. The Lancet. Neurology, 2005-06-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Evidence suggests that a high concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) is a cardiovascular risk factor and an important correlate of cognitive disorders and depression. Recently, population-based studies examining the association between CRP and stroke, cognitive impairment, or depression have been done but have not yet been systematically reviewed. Here we present a systematic review of the associations between CRP and stroke, cognitive impairment, and depression. Hospital or clinic-based studies were excluded because the inferences might not be easily applicable to the general population. 19 eligible studies of CRP were selected: seven for stroke, six for cognitive disorders, and six for depression. Raised CRP concentrations were associated with history of stroke and increased risk of incident stroke. Meta-analysis of studies with long follow-up (>8 years) showed that the risk for stroke in healthy individuals with the highest quartile of CRP concentrations increased nearly 70% compared to those with the lowest quartile. High concentrations of CRP were predictive of cognitive decline and dementia. The relations of CRP to depression were all cross-sectional and were not consistent. We conclude that high concentrations of CRP are associated with increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. The association between CRP and depression should be studied prospectively.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Kuo, H. K., Yen, C. J., Chang, C. H., Kuo, C. K., Chen, J. H., & Sorond, F. (2005). Relation of C-reactive protein to stroke, cognitive disorders, and depression in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(05)70099-5
Vancouver
Kuo HK, Yen CJ, Chang CH, Kuo CK, Chen JH, Sorond F. Relation of C-reactive protein to stroke, cognitive disorders, and depression in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. Neurology. 2005. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(05)70099-5. PMID: 15907742.
BibTeX
@article{kuo2005-15907742,
author = {Kuo, H. K. and Yen, C. J. and Chang, C. H. and Kuo, C. K. and Chen, J. H. and Sorond, F.},
title = {{Relation of C-reactive protein to stroke, cognitive disorders, and depression in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis}},
journal = {The Lancet. Neurology},
year = {2005},
doi = {10.1016/s1474-4422(05)70099-5},
pmid = {15907742},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(05)70099-5}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Evidence suggests that a high concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) is a cardiovascular risk factor and an important correlate of cognitive disorders and depression.
- Raised CRP concentrations were associated with history of stroke and increased risk of incident stroke.
- Meta-analysis of studies with long follow-up (>8 years) showed that the risk for stroke in healthy individuals with the highest quartile of CRP concentrations increased nearly 70% compared to those with the lowest quartile.
- We conclude that high concentrations of CRP are associated with increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairment.
Why it matters
This systematic review found that high C-reactive protein concentrations were associated with increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairment, and were predictive of cognitive decline and dementia. These are observational associations, not evidence that lowering CRP treats, cures, or prevents Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 66/100
Published in a leading specialty journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 9 / 10 | Tier 2 — leading specialty journal (The Lancet. Neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | The Lancet Neurology: journal h-index 457 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2005 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 400 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 17.4 citations a year over 23 year(s) since 2005 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 11 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 40 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Farzaneh A. Sorond: h-index 50 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Harvard University: institution h-index 3,235 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 5 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 15907742) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 66 / 100 | — |
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