Key result
Metabolic syndrome is linked to significantly higher hs-CRP levels versus healthy controls.
Why the study?
Are high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome compared to those without?
Meta-Analysis (n=71,882)
Are high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome compared to those without?
Standardized Mean Difference: 0.95 (95% CI 0.81–1.1)
p-value: p=<0.001
Individuals with metabolic syndrome have significantly higher levels of the inflammatory biomarker hs-CRP compared to healthy controls, supporting the link between metabolic syndrome and chronic low-grade systemic inflammation.
Higher hs-CRP levels are associated with MetS; supports inflammation link but leaves open causal and predictive utility in prospective cohorts.
Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic abnormalities associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a sensitive biomarker of inflammation and has been proposed as a potential indicator of MetS. However, the magnitude of the association between hs-CRP and MetS remains inconsistent across populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the difference in hs-CRP levels between individuals with and without MetS. Methods A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, and gray literature sources was conducted. Eligible observational studies reporting mean and standard deviation of hs-CRP among participants with and without MetS were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed according to geographic region, study design, study setting, fasting status, hs-CRP assay type, and MetS diagnostic criteria. Results Twenty-eight studies involving 71,882 participants (23,945 MetS cases and 47,937 controls) were included. Overall, hs-CRP levels were significantly higher among individuals with MetS than among healthy controls (SMD = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.81–1.10; p < 0.001). Significant heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² = 99.49%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated higher effect estimates in Europe (SMD = 2.84) and Africa (SMD = 2.63) compared with Asia and the Middle East. The association remained significant across study designs, settings, assay methods, and MetS diagnostic criteria. Conclusions People with metabolic syndrome had greater levels of hs-CRP than people without the condition. However, causal interpretation is constrained by the observational nature of the available data and significant between-study heterogeneity. To ascertain the temporal connection between hs-CRP and metabolic syndrome, prospective longitudinal studies are required.
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Habtamu et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Metabolic syndrome (n=71,882). Metabolic syndrome vs. Without metabolic syndrome (healthy controls) was evaluated on Difference in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (SMD 0.95, 95% CI 0.81-1.10, p=<0.001). Individuals with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein compared to healthy controls (SMD 0.95).
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