A study on clinical profile of metabolic syndrome in elderly and its relation with highly sensitive c-reactive protein (hs CRP)

Background: Highly sensitive C-reactive protein as a marker of systemic inflammation and the contribution of individual components of metabolic syndrome to elevated C- reactive protein was studied in the present study. Objectives: To study the prevalence of various components of Metabolic Syndrome in elderly patients. Association of individual components of metabolic Syndrome with highly sensitive C-reactive protein. Methods: Elderly subjects who were aged 60 years or more attending the hospital and satisfying at least 3 of the 5 components of metabolic syndrome according to the revised NCEP ATP III criteria of metabolic syndrome were included in the study. All the patients underwent detailed history and physical examination. Anthropometric data like height, weight, waist circumference were collected, BMI calculated with Quetelet index formula. The quantitative determination of hs CRP was done by immunoturbidometric assay by MODULAR P automated analyzers (Roche). Results: Among 100 elderly patients Hypertension was prevalent in 93% , elevated Waist circumference 84% ,Diabetes Mellitus 81%, low HDL cholesterol or using lipid lowering drugs in 81% and elevated triglycerides or h/o using lipid lowering drugs in 75% of the study group. Highly Sensitive C- reactive protein was elevated in 60% of the study group. Hs CRP was more elevated in those patients with Hypertension and elevated Waist circumference than the other components of metabolic syndrome. Higher the number of the risk factors in a individual patient higher the elevation of hs-CRP. Conclusions: Our study concluded that among all components of Metabolic syndrome, Hypertension and visceral adiposity were observed more frequently than the occurrence of other components in this elderly cohort of South India. Elevated waist circumference and hypertension were most commonly associated with systemic inflammation as measured by elevated hs CRP.