The Association between C-Reactive Protein and Features of the Metabolic Syndrome

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNG The Metabolic Syndrome is highly associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive systemic marker of inflammation, is considered to show an association with risk of coronary heart disease. This study was done to assess the association of circulating levels of CRP with different components of the Metabolic Syndrome. METHODS: Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and CRP were measured in 1,203 men and women who have visited the Health Promotion Center in Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital. The relationship of CRP and variables of the metabolic syndrome using t-test and regression analysis as assessed. RESULTS:CRP was associated with BMI (P<0.001), waist circumference (P<0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (P= 0.004), HDL cholesterol (P=0.015), and TG (P<0.0001). Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome had a significantly higher CRP concentration (0.89 mg/L) than individuals without the metabolic syndrome (0.33 mg/L, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: CRP seems to be related to variables of the metabolic syndrome. The data suggest that a variety of features of the metabolic syndrome are associated with systemic inflammation.