Correlation between the level of
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (
hs-CRP) and the incidence of intracranial arterial
stenosis (ICAS) is unclear. We aim to investigate the relationship between
hs-CRP levels and ICAS. A total of 1458 patients aged ≥ 40 years were enrolled in this study. All the participants had a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) examination for the evaluation of ICAS. Participants were classified into four groups according to
stroke and ICAS. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship of
hs-CRP levels and ICAS status. A total of 432 (29.63%) subjects had ICAS. The levels of
hs-CRP in
stroke group were significantly higher than those in non-
stroke group (p < 0.001). Patients with ICAS tend to have higher
hs-CRP levels (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the fourth
hs-CRP quartile had the strongest association with ICAS in both
stroke group and non-
stroke group (OR 2.512, 95% CI 1.651-3.853, p < 0.001 for
stroke group, and OR 2.534, 95% CI 1.435-4.595, p = 0.002 for non-
stroke group) among the four quartiles of
hs-CRP levels. Our study suggests that elevated serum
hs-CRP levels are associated with higher risk of ICAS, in both
stroke patients and non-
stroke participants.