title: [Clinical significance of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in lifestyle-related disease and metabolic syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi. yhs@stellar.meon.ne.jp
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshikane
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozaki
authors.forename: Masunori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human