The occurrence of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease based on C-reactive protein levels: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background This study aimed to assess the occurrence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) according to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Methods This retrospective analysis was based on the nationwide survey of KD conducted in the Republic of Korea between 2015 and 2017. We enrolled 9131 patients and defined low (< 3 mg/dL) and high (≥3 mg/dL) CRP groups. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, z-scores, and scores based on the Japanese criteria for CAL were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify CAL risk factors.

Results The low CRP group accounted for 23% of patients. The mean age at diagnosis was higher in high CRP group compared to the low CRP group (34.4 ± 24.9 vs 31.7 ± 24.8 months, p< 0.001). Fever duration before treatment was not significantly different between the two groups (5.1 ± 1.7 days vs. 5.2 ± 2.1 days; p= 0.206). A non-response to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was found in 1377 patients (20.1%) and 225 patients (11.7%) in the high and low CRP groups, respectively (p< 0.001). CAL were found in 12.9 and 18.3% of the high and low CRP patients, respectively (p< 0.001), based on z-scores; and in 9.9 and 12.5%, respectively (p= 0.001), based on the Japanese criteria in the acute phase. The giant coronary artery aneurysm occurrence ratio was similar between groups (p= 1.0).

Conclusions CAL occurred in patients with both high and low CRP. Therefore, patients with KD should be carefully monitored regardless of their CRP levels.