The combination of metabolic syndrome and high hs-CRP was associated with the highest odds of coronary artery calcification (aOR 2.392) compared to individuals without metabolic syndrome and low hs-CRP.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,948)
No
Does the combination of metabolic syndrome and elevated hs-CRP increase the risk of coronary artery calcification in adults undergoing health checkups?
Metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with coronary artery calcification, and elevated hs-CRP provides a modest incremental increase in this risk.
Effect estimate: aOR 2.392 (95% CI 1.470-3.891)
p-value: p=<0.001
Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and is strongly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), an inflammatory marker, have each been linked to CAC, but their combined influence remains unclear. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1948 adults undergoing health checkups and coronary calcium scoring via computed tomography. Participants were grouped by MetS status and hs-CRP levels (<0.3 vs. ≥0.3 mg/dL). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between MetS, hs-CRP, and CAC, adjusting for age, sex, and clinical variables. Results: The cohort (mean age, 49 years; 78% male) was categorized into four groups: MetS(-)/low hs-CRP (74%), MetS(-)/high hs-CRP (10%), MetS(+)/low hs-CRP (12%), and MetS(+)/high hs-CRP (5%). The MetS(+)/high hs-CRP group had the highest Agatston score. CAC prevalence increased with the number of MetS components (from 44.5% to 100%). Among MetS components, high fasting glucose adjusted odds ratio [aOR, 1.973; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.526-2.551], hypertension (aOR, 1.674; 95% CI, 1.324-2.117), and high waist circumference (aOR, 1.492; 95% CI, 1.187-1.877) had the strongest associations with CAC. Elevated hs-CRP was independently associated with CAC (aOR, 1.631; 95% CI, 1.205-2.208), with a dose-response trend per 1 mg/dL increase (aOR, 1.360; 95% CI, 0.990-1.869). Compared to the MetS(-)/low hs-CRP group, the odds of CAC were highest in the MetS(+)/high hs-CRP group (aOR, 2.392; 95% CI, 1.470-3.891), followed by MetS(+)/low hs-CRP (aOR, 1.996; 95% CI, 1.426-2.795), and MetS(-)/high hs-CRP (aOR, 1.538; 95% CI, 1.067-2.218). Conclusions: MetS showed a stronger association with CAC than hs-CRP, while hs-CRP appeared to confer a modest incremental association.
Chen et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Coronary artery calcification (n=1,948). Metabolic syndrome and high hs-CRP (≥0.3 mg/dL) vs. No metabolic syndrome and low hs-CRP (<0.3 mg/dL) was evaluated on Presence of coronary artery calcification (Agatston score ≥ 1) (aOR 2.392, 95% CI 1.470-3.891, p=<0.001). The combination of metabolic syndrome and high hs-CRP was associated with the highest odds of coronary artery calcification (aOR 2.392) compared to individuals without metabolic syndrome and low hs-CRP.