[The Relationship between High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Metabolic Syndrome according to the Fasting Glucose Level at Medical Checkups.].
BACKGROUND
This study was performed to investigate the difference in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and metabolic syndrome according to the fasting glucose level, especially between the groups of less than 100 mg/dL and 100-109 mg/dL, which were conventionally categorized into normal levels.


METHODS
Those who underwent routine medical checkups aged above 20 (male, 3,221; female, 3,334) at a Health Promotion Center (Seoul, Korea) were divided into normal fasting glucose group I (glucose <100 mg/dL), normal fasting glucose group II (glucose, 100-109 mg/dL), impaired fasting glucose group, and diabetes mellitus group. The hsCRP, obesity index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] were compared among the groups. The hsCRP and the components of metabolic syndrome were compared.


RESULTS
The hsCRP level, age, obesity index, blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride significantly increased along with the increment in fasting glucose level in the 4 groups. The hsCRP had a positive correlation with the fasting glucose level, age, and systolic blood pressure, while it had a negative correlation with HDL-C. The metabolic syndrome was more common in the group with a higher level of glucose.


CONCLUSIONS
The group with glucose level of less than 110 mg/dL, conventionally categorized into normal range, needs to be subdivided into a group of 100-109 mg/dL and a group of less than 100 mg/dL. The former group seems to require more efforts to have the glucose level to be maintained under the level of 100 mg/dL.