Metabolic factors and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein: the HUNT study

Background: The association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with metabolic syndrome in younger age groups has not been studied extensively and few population-based studies have included both sexes. Therefore we estimated the association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with the metabolic factors at different ages in men and women in a large population-based study. Methods and objectives: In this cross-sectional study, clinical information and non-fasting blood samples including measurement of hsCRP from 4587 men and 5408 women 20 years and older in the HUNT study in Norway were used to study the association of components of the metabolic syndrome with levels of hsCRP, by sex and age group. Results: All measured metabolic factors were associated with hsCRP. Among these factors, body mass index appeared to be the most strongly associated, and the strong positive association persisted also after adjustment for the other metabolic factors, with similar associations in women and men. The associations were generally somewhat stronger in younger than in older age groups. Conclusion: Metabolic factors, especially body mass index, have a relatively strong association with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at all ages both in men and women.