Elevated levels of C-reactive protein as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome in Indians

Relationship of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is well documented in many populations, but comprehensive data is lacking in Indian population. Thus, we set out to investigate the association of hsCRP levels with MetS and its features and the effect of obesity and insulin resistance on this association in urban Indians.

This is a cross-sectional study that included 9517 subjects comprising 4066 subjects with MetS. MetS was defined according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria for Asians.

Median levels of hsCRP were considerably higher in individuals with MetS with higher levels in women compared to men. Among the features of MetS, waist circumference was most strongly correlated with hsCRP levels (r=0.28) and contributed maximally (β=0.025mg/l lnhsCRP, P=7.4×10(-147)). Subjects with high risk hsCRP levels (>3mg/l) were at high risk of MetS (OR (95% CI)=1.65(1.41-1.92), P=1.7×10(-10)). Risk of MetS increased in a dose dependent manner from low risk to high risk hsCRP category with increase in BMI and HOMA-IR.

Our findings suggest that hsCRP predicts the risk of MetS, independent of obesity and insulin resistance, and therefore, can be a valuable tool to aid the identification of individuals at risk of MetS. The study provides a lead for future investigation for effects of hsCRP, obesity, and insulin resistance on MetS in this population.