Biological markers, lifestyles and metabolic syndrome in workers

The association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and biological inflammatory or anti-coagulant markers were clarified in combination with lifestyle factors.

The target subjects were 5102 working men without metabolic diseases, aged 30-60 years old. The authors measured the serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid and plasma fibrinogen as potential key biomarkers of MetS.

Mean values of uric acid, log-transformed serum CRP and plasma fibrinogen increased significantly as the number of components of MetS increased after adjustment for age. Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between the presence of MetS and age, habitual exercise, not current smoking, the log-transformed value of serum CRP and serum uric acid, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.04; p<0.001), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.65-0.90; p<0.01), 0.82 (95% CI: 0.70-0.96; p<0.05), 3.2 (95% CI: 2.6-3.9; p<0.001) and 1.5 (95% CI: 1.4-1.6; p<0.001), respectively for the presence of MetS.

Elevated serum level of CRP, uric acid, not habitual exercise and current smoking were associated with MetS in this cross-sectional study.