Relationship of C-reactive protein with components of the metabolic syndrome in normal-weight and overweight elderly

C-reactive protein (CRP) is known to be elevated in the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to explore in more detail the relationship between CRP and other components of the metabolic syndrome in a general population of 605 Dutch elderly individuals aged 65¿84 years. Methods and results Data were collected on body mass index (BMI), plasma CRP, plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), serum insulin, serum lipids, blood pressure, lifestyle and medical history. CRP was log-transformed (ln-CRP) to improve normality. Associations of ln-CRP with components of the metabolic syndrome were studied by multivariate linear regression analysis, in strata of gender and overweight status, with adjustment for age, physical activity, and smoking habits. A total of 322 subjects (53%) were overweight (BMI ¿25 kg/m2). Conclusions In normal-weight women, ln-CRP was significantly associated with BMI, PAI-1, serum insulin, and HDL-cholesterol. In overweight women, however, these relationships were weak and not statistically significant. Findings were similar in men, although less pronounced than in women. Our data suggest that the role of CRP in the metabolic syndrome is modified by the amount of body fat.