<p>High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Leads to Increased Incident Metabolic Syndrome in Women but Not in Men: A Five-Year Follow-Up Study in a Chinese Population</p>

Abstract

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by a constellation of insulin resistance, central obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, is a global health threat. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease; however, its association with incident MetS is less known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the prospective association between hs-CRP and MetS among a Chinese population in a 5-year follow-up study. Patients and Methods: The levels of hs-CRP were measured using serum samples collected at baseline recruitment in 2012 from 886 participants without MetS. Follow-up interviews were conducted in 2018, and MetS was diagnosed by 2017 criteria from the Chinese Diabetes Society. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the overall and sex-specific associations between hs-CRP and incident MetS. The odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed with adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. Results: After a mean follow-up duration of 5.40 ± 0.56 years, 116 (13.3%) participants developed MetS. In the total study population, increased hs-CRP levels were associated with a higher risk of MetS (OR comparing extreme quartiles of hs-CRP: 4.06 [95% CI: 1.91-8.65]) in the fully-adjusted model. When stratified by sex, the positive association was only observed in women (OR: 4.82 [1.89-12.3]) but not in men (OR: 3.15 [0.82-12.1]; P-interaction = 0.039). Conclusion: In this study of a Chinese population, a positive association between hs-CRP and incident MetS was found only in women and not in men. Sex-specific prediction and intervention of MetS using hs-CRP as a target should be further evaluated.

<p>Metabolic Syndrome for Cardiovascular Disease Morbidity and Mortality Among General Japanese People: A Mini Review</p>

“…29 Even though the C-reactive protein levels are similar between genders, adiposity is more strongly positively associated with a low-grade systemic inflammation, as reflected in circulating C-reactive protein, in women than in men. [30][31][32][33] This may be a mechanistic explanation for the gender difference. The presumable gender-related prediction of MetS for CVD outcomes remains an issue to be further examined.…”

A Positive Association of Overactivated Immunity with Metabolic Syndrome Risk and Mitigation of Its Association by a Plant-Based Diet and Physical Activity in a Large Cohort Study

“…MetS is closely related to chronic, low-grade inflammation indicated by increased serum CRP concentrations [ 30 ], as shown in the present study. In a Chinese population, serum CRP concentrations were positively associated with MetS risk by 4.82 (1.89–12.3) but only in women in a five-year follow-up study [ 31 ]. However, in the present study, serum CRP concentrations did not associate with genders and were related to MetS less than WBC counts.…”

Confounders in Identification and Analysis of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Interrelationships between CRP, the MS, and incident cardiovascular events were examined using baseline CRP levels and median CRP levels [62]. Five years of follow-up interview study has revealed that a positive association between hs-CRP and incident MS was found only in 13% of the women, whereas no positive association was found in men [63]. Cardiovascular risk is categorized depending on the level of hs-CRP: low risk-hs-CRP <1mg/L; moderate risk-hs-CRP between 1-3mg/L, and high risk-hs-CRP >3mg/L [62,64].…”