Clinical significance of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in lifestyle-related disease and metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVES: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a biochemical marker of subclinical inflammation, is associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The present study evaluated the clinical usefulness of hs-CRP in lifestyle-related diseases and metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Hs-CRP was measured in 407 subjects who underwent a checkup at our Medical Office of Cardiology. Levels of hs-CRP were compared between various clinical conditions associated with lifestyle-related diseases and metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Levels of hs-CRP were significantly high in the subjects with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001). Both diabetes and metabolic syndrome were strongly associated with hs-CRP levels (diabetes: p = 0.0001, beta = 0.184; metabolic syndrome: p < 0.00001, beta = 0.264). In addition, hs-CRP levels were strongly associated with number of risk factors, and hs-CRP levels were significantly increased with increased number of risk factors. In patients with many risk factors, levels of hs-CRP were significantly higher in subjects with abdominal obesity than in normal subjects (p < 0.001). Waist circumference and hemoglobin A1c levels represented independent predictors for hs-CRP levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome (waist circumference: p < 0.00001, beta = 0.256; hemoglobin A1c: p < 0.00001, beta = 0.242). CONCLUSIONS: Levels of hs-CRP were strongly associated with lifestyle-related diseases, metabolic syndrome, and increased number of risk factors. These results suggest that measurement of hs-CRP may be useful in risk management for clinical practice.