Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
Correlation of CRP, fasting serum triglycerides and obesity as cardiovascular risk factors
1Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
Insights
Obesity is linked to higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, indicating vascular inflammation. This study found CRP elevation in pre-obese and obese individuals, suggesting it may predict future cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation Markers
Background:
- Obesity is a growing global health concern associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CAD) risk.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation, and fasting triglycerides (TG) are lipid indicators.
- The relationship between CRP and TG in non-diabetic, pre-obese, and obese individuals without diagnosed CAD requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and fasting triglycerides (TG).
- To assess these correlations specifically within pre-obese and obese patient populations.
- To evaluate these markers in individuals without a prior diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Main Methods:
- A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2010.
- Participants included individuals aged 18-65 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 23 kg/m².
- Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests, Chi-square tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression (p < 0.05 significant).
Main Results:
- Elevated CRP levels were a significant finding across all BMI categories (pre-obese and obese).
- CRP levels demonstrated a positive correlation with increasing BMI (r=0.239, p<0.05).
- Fasting triglycerides showed a weak negative correlation with BMI (r=-0.006, insignificant), with no clear trend observed.
Conclusions:
- Obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and elevated CRP are interrelated, suggesting obesity contributes to both lipid abnormalities and vascular inflammation.
- Raised CRP in pre-obese and obese individuals without diabetes may serve as an early indicator of future CAD risk.
- Elevated CRP is a strong predictor of CAD and stroke, even in the absence of overt dyslipidemia.
Objective:
To determine the correlation of C-reactive protein (CRP) with fasting triglycerides (TG) among pre-obese and obese patients without established diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Study Design:
A comparative cross-sectional study.
Place And Duration Of Study:
Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2010.
Methodology:
Patients with BMI > 23 kg/m2 aged between 18 - 65 years were inducted and above variables were studied. Patients with signs of fluid retention, collagen vascular disease, CAD, patients on corticosteroids, immunomodulators or lipid lowering medications and febrile patients were not recruited. Body mass index was also determined. Independent sample t-test was applied to see the mean difference of age, CRP level and triglycerides level in relation to gender. Chi-square test was used to see the association between qualitative variables. ANOVA was applied to see CRP and fasting serum TG level in relation to BMI categories. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression was applied to see the dependency of CRP and triglycerides with BMI. P-value ² 0.05 was taken as significant.
Results:
Raised CRP was major finding among all groups of BMI. Most of obese and pre-obese patients were young and middle aged and belonged to pre-obese group followed by class-1 and class-2 obesity. CRP level increased with body mass index. No such trend was observed for triglycerides. There was an intermediate positive correlation between CRP and BMI and triglycerides and BMI showed a weak negative correlation. If BMI increases by 1 unit on the average, CRP rises by 0.239 times and this unit rise was significant. Whereas 1 unit rise increase in triglycerides on the average cause CRP to decrease -0.006 times but this value was insignificant.
Conclusion:
Raised CRP and high fasting TG were major findings in all age groups especially among young and middle aged people. Obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and raised CRP are interrelated suggesting that obesity is not only linked to hypertriglyceridemia but vascular inflammation among pre-obese and obese without overt diabetes mellitus causes high CRP as well and this can be used as a marker to predict the future risk of CAD. However, in the absence of dyslipidaemia, raised CRP can still be considered as a strong predictor of CAD and stroke.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management