[Association between C-reactive protein level and metabolic syndrome and components thereof]

To investigate the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and metabolic disorders in individuals in Shanghai communities and to assess the value of CRP level on the risk of metabolic disorders.

A total of 5502 individuals (males 2379, females 3123) aged over 20 years with complete baseline data on metabolic syndrome (MS) and serum CRP from 1998 to 2001 in two communities of Shanghai were included. Highly sensitive CRP was tested by kinetics nephelometry. Quartiles of concentration of CRP were computed. Hyperglycemia (diabetes or impaired glucose regulation), hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity and MS were defined by WHO (1999) working definition of MS. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the relation between CRP level and relative risks of metabolic disorders.

(1) In this two communities based population the prevalences of metabolic syndrome and its components were as follow: hyperglycemia 21.63% (diabetes 9.21%, impaired glucose regulation 12.41%), hypertension 32.95%, high triglyceride (TG)/low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 46.04%, central obesity 40.68% and metabolic syndrome 13.98%. (2) Serum CRP level was gradually elevated with the increment of ages in both men and women (P < 0.01). (3) Serum CRP level was increased with the increment of the components of metabolic disorders (P < 0.01). In individuals with MS, CRP level was higher than in those with 1 or 2 components of metabolic disorders (P < 0.01). (4) The highest quartile of CRP was 2.11 mg/L in men and 2.22 mg/L in women. (5) Compared with those in the lowest quartile, men in the highest quartile had increased relative risk of hyperglycemia (3.8 times), central obesity (5.5 times), hypertension (2.8 times), hyper triglyceride (1.3 times), low HDL-C (1.5 times) and MS (10 times). Similarly, women in the highest quartile had increased relative risk of hyperglycemia (7.7 times), central obesity (12.2 times), hypertension (6.1 times), hypertriglyceride (5.6 times), low HDL-C (1.1 times) and MS (8.5 times).

(1) CRP level was related to the increment of age. (2) Individuals with more components of metabolic syndrome had higher serum CRP level. (3) The incidence of metabolic syndrome was increased with the increment of CRP level. The risk of metabolic disorders including hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity and metabolic syndrome was significantly elevated in men with CRP level over 2.11 mg/L and women with CRP level over 2.22 mg/L.