Correlation between the body fat composition and high sensitive C-reactive protein in Turkish adults.

OBJECTIVES: The adipose tissue is an active immune organ. High sensitive C-reactive protein CRP (hs-CRP) is a strong independent predictor of a possible future myocardial infarction and stroke, and it has also been shown to be related to the subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the body fat composition, metabolic syndrome, and the hs-CRP plasma levels. METHODS: Total 246 consecutive Turkish subjects, admitted to the internal medicine clinic with the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, were included into the study. The total body fat composition was measured in every participant with a commercially available bio-impedance meter. The hs-CRP levels, body composition parameters, and biochemical variables were compared. RESULTS: The hs-CRP levels increased in parallel with the body weight in Turkish subjects. This increase was significant especially in the women. The waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and body composition variables (visceral fat level, total body fat, and total body muscle mass) were significant correlates of the hs-CRP. The waist circumference and BMI were independent predictors of the hs-CRP. CONCLUSION: The waist circumference, BMI, and body composition variables (visceral fat level, total body fat and total body muscle mass) were significant correlates of the hs-CRP in Turkish adults. Body weight control may account for an important target especially in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Effect of smoking intensity on thyroid volume, thyroid nodularity and thyroid function: the Melen study.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to determine the association between smoking habit, goiter, thyroid functions and ultrasonographic nodularity in moderately iodine deficient area. METHODS: The MELEN study is a prospectively designed survey on the prevalence of thyroid diseases in Turkish adults. A total of 2298 subjects with a mean age of 50 (age range 18 to 92) were interviewed. Smoking habits were registered from questionnaires and subsequent interviews with a physician. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed and interpreted by the same experienced physician, using the same equipment. After an overnight fast, blood samples were collected from all the study subjects for the determination of serum free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured. RESULTS: Mean thyroid volumes of current smokers were significantly lower than either former or never smokers (P=0.014). There were no difference according to smoking habits on goiter and established multinodularity in current smokers (P<0.05). Heavy smokers (>20 pack/year) had higher thyroid volumes, higher goiter and multinodular goiter (MNG) prevalence than moderate smokers (P<0.001). Thyrotoxicosis (TSH<0.35) cases were more frequent among heavy smokers than moderate smokers (14.1% versus 8.2%, P<0.001; respectively). Heavy smoking independently predicted goiter (odds ratio: 1.459 [95% confidence interval: 1.029 and 2.068]; P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Heavy smoking was associated with increased prevalence of thyroid multinodularity and goiter in respect to moderate smoking. No association was found between smoking habit and thyroid dysfunction.