Alende-Castro V, Alonso-Sampedro M, Fernández-Merino C, et al. - A discordant pattern of high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and normal C-reactive protein (CRP) among adults from the general population with no overt inflammatory disease was shown to be associated with greater age, whereas the pattern of high CRP and normal ESR was related to higher body mass index (BMI).

• This is a cross-sectional analysis of 1,472 adults with no known inflammatory disorders (44.5% male; median age, 52 years; range, 18–91 years).

• A discordant pattern of high ESR and normal CRP values in 72 (4.8%) participants was linked with age post-adjustment for gender, alcohol intake, physical activity, BMI, and metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 1.052).

• A discordant pattern of high CRP and normal ESR values was evident in 208 (13.8%) participants, which was associated with BMI post-adjustment for covariates (OR, 1.099).

• BMI seemed to represent the main determinant of serum CRP levels.

• Serum interleukin-6 levels showed positive link with the discordant pattern of high CRP and normal ESR values.