C-reactive protein positively correlates with metabolic syndrome in coronary artery disease patients

Objective: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Metabolic syndrome has been associated with an increased risk of CAD, as well as increased mortality from CAD. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between CRP and metabolic syndrome among CAD patients. Materials and Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 112 CAD patients. Metabolic syndrome and its components were defined using the diagnostic criteria from the International Diabetes Federation. Results: Using Taiwanese individuals, a total of 56 CAD patients (50%) had metabolic syndrome. Fasting CRP levels positively correlated with metabolic syndrome (p < 0.014). Univariate linear regression analysis showed that body weight (p -0.014), body mass index (p < 0.001), and body fat mass (p < 0.001) were positively correlated with serum CRP levels, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.049) was negatively correlated with fasting serum CRP levels in CAD patients. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables showed that body fat mass (beta = 0.530, R square=0.289, p < 0.001) and HDL-C (beta = - 0.171, R square = 0.029, p = 0.034) were independent predictors of serum CRP levels in CAD patients. Conclusion: CRP level positively correlated with metabolic syndrome among Taiwanese CAD patients. Body fat mass and HDL-C were independent predictors of serum CRP levels in CAD patients. Copyright (C) 2011, Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.