Inverse relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol raising and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein reduction in older patients treated with lipid-lowering therapy

•Relationships between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lipids other than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are not well described.•Older high cardiovascular risk patients were treated with ezetimibe/simvastatin or atorvastatin.•hsCRP and lipids correlated weakly at baseline, improving slightly on treatment.•Baseline and study end levels, and changes in hsCRP and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, correlated inversely.•The inverse relationship of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hsCRP may reflect anti-inflammatory effects.