Aim: Metabolic syndrome (MS) comprises a constellation of various metabolic abnormalities, but insulin resistance is considered the basis of the syndrome. The relationship of plasma fibrinogen with MS and insulin resistance remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess whether plasma fibrinogen levels were associated with MS and insulin resistance in a rural population of China.
Methods: Participants were selected using a multi-stage random-sampling method. A standardized interview was conducted by trained personnel, and "metabolic syndrome" was defined according to the Chinese Diabetes Association. Insulin resistance was assessed by fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. Associations of fibrinogen levels with components of MS and insulin resistance were determined using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analyses.
Results: A total of 1,792 participants (M: 815, W: 977) aged 15 to 85 years was studied. Adjusted mean fibrinogen concentration increased with increases in the number of MS components (p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that fibrinogen concentration was significantly and positively associated with age, DBP and negatively with physical exercise and HDL-C in males and females, and positively with WHR, LogTG, and FPG in females. No statistically significant association between fibrinogen and insulin resistance was observed.
Conclusions: Fibrinogen was significantly associated with MS, independent of major confounders. Insulin resistance showed an inconsistent association with fibrinogen.