Objective: To describe the distributions of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and its association with metabolic syndrome (MS) in population aged 45-74 in Beijing.
Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Beijing during 2002-2004 and the component of MS and plasma hs-CRP concentration were assessed. Analysis was performed in a total of 1544 subjects with completed information. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans.
Results: The median and geometric mean concentrations of hs-CRP among our study population were 1.00 mg/L and 0.79 mg/L, respectively, hs-CRP level showed an upward trend with increased age (P<0.05) but no statistically significant difference of hs-CRP levels between genders was observed (P>0.05). The prevalence of MS progressively increased with elevated hs-CRP quartiles (P<0.01). The prevalence rates of hypertension and central obesity were substantially higher in the highest quartile of hs-CRP levels than those in the lowest quartile. In a univariate logistic regression analysis, the risk for MS was higher in the highest quartile of hs-CRP than that in the lowest quartile. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking and drinking, the highest quartile of hs-CRP was found to be independently associated with each component of MS and 6.35-fold increased risk of MS.
Conclusion: The hs-CRP level appeared to be increased with age and correlated to all the components of MS.