Metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein and microalbuminuria in a rural Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein predicts microalbuminuria progression in essential hypertensive patients: a 3-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the independent effect of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the combined effects of hs-CRP and other traditional risk factors on microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients during the 3-year follow-up period.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Baseline hs-CRP levels and other risk factors were measured in 280 adults in 2007. In the third year of examination, 199 patients (mean age 62.5 ± 9.5, men 59.3%) were approached for the measurement of microalbuminuria. The subjects were classified into two groups by the median of baseline hs-CRP. Compared to the patients with baseline hs-CRP below the median group ( n  = 99, 50%), the group with baseline hs-CRP above the median ( n  = 100, 50%) had higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) ( P  = 0.007) at the end of follow-up period. ACR at the end of follow-up period was significantly correlated with baseline diabetes ( β  = 0.342; P  < 0.001), baseline SBP ( β  = 0.148; P  = 0.02), and baseline log-transformed hs-CRP ( β  = 0.169; P  = 0.01), while adversely correlated with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ( β  = -0.163; P  = 0.02) in multivariate stepwise linear analysis. In addition, ACR change during follow-up period was significantly correlated with baseline diabetes ( β  = 0.359; P  < 0.001) and baseline log-transformed hs-CRP ( β  = 0.190; P  = 0.004) in multivariate stepwise linear analysis. The combined effects of baseline hs-CRP and conventional risk factors, such as male sex, diabetes, smoking status, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and mildly reduced eGFR had a greater risk for microalbuminuria progression. There was no difference in eGFR changes during the follow-up period between two groups.

CONCLUSION

Our findings offer a new piece of evidence on the predictive value of baseline hs-CRP for microalbuminuria progression in essential hypertensive patients, and highlight those who combined with traditional cardiovascular risk factors had a greater risk for developing microalbuminuria.

Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation from Young to Mid-Adulthood and Subclinical Kidney Damage in Middle-Aged Australians

Background: Relationships between metabolic syndrome (MetS), inflammation, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported, but long-term follow-up studies are limited. This study aimed to investigate whether MetS and C-reactive protein (CRP) from young adulthood associated with the risk of subclinical kidney damage (SKD), a surrogate measure for CKD, in mid-adulthood. Materials and Methods: One thousand fifteen participants from the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health study aged 26-36 years at baseline (2004-2006) were followed up at age 36-49 (2014-2019). Log-binomial regression was used to determine whether MetS and high CRP in young adulthood and from young to mid-adulthood predicted the risk of SKD (an estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with a urine albumin-creatinine ratio ≥2.5 mg/mmol [males] or ≥3.5 mg/mmol [females]) in midlife. Results: Having MetS in young adulthood was associated with an increased risk of SKD in midlife (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 2.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-5.76). Participants with MetS and high CRP as young adults had a greater risk of having SKD in midlife (aRR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.61-11.30) compared with those without MetS and high CRP. Furthermore, for participants with persistent MetS, the aRR of SKD in midlife was 4.08 (95% CI: 1.84-9.05) compared with those without MetS from young to mid-adulthood. No significant associations were found between CRP in young adulthood, or change in CRP from young to mid-adulthood, and SKD in midlife. Conclusions: MetS in young adulthood, with and without high CRP, and persistent MetS were associated with an increased risk of SKD in middle midlife.

Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary heart disease. It may also be associated with a higher risk of some common cancers. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome and breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

We present a prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women. This cohort was divided into two groups: the «benign diagnosis group», including women who were studied after breast cancer screening; and the «malignant tumor group», including patients with breast cancer that had been diagnosed by biopsy. Age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), abdominal perimeter, serum glucose, LDL, HDL and insulin levels were analyzed as variables under study. The HOMA-IR homeostatic model formula was used to assess insulin resistance. The differences were considered statistically significant when P<.05.

RESULTS

Two hundred women with a mean age of 61.5±9.6 (range: 37-93) were enrolled in the study, consisting of 150 (75%) patients with a benign diagnosis and 50 (25%) patients with a malignant tumor. BMI and abdominal perimeter were higher in the group with a malignant tumor (P<.05). The incidence of DM and metabolic syndrome was higher in the malignant tumor group (P<.005). In the malignant tumor group, much higher incidences correlated with fasting glycemic levels >100mg/dL, insulin levels >10mIU/L and HOMA-IR scores >2.7 (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a relationship between metabolic syndrome and postmenopausal breast cancer. More studies are needed to establish methods for the prevention of breast cancer in women with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a predictor of decreased renal function among community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese

PURPOSE

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide with the continuous increase in obesity prevalence. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is also a major public health problem, but there is controversy over whether baseline MetS is a predictor of decreased renal function among Japanese community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study designed as part of the Nomura study. We recruited a random sample of 410 men aged 68 ± 8 (mean ± standard deviation; range, 50-95) years and 549 women aged 69 ± 7 (50-84) years during their annual health examination in a single community. We examined the relationship between baseline MetS and renal dysfunction after a 3-year evaluation based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR_CKDEPI) using the CKD-EPI equations modified by the Japan coefficient. CKD was defined as dipstick-positive proteinuria (> or = 1 +) or a low eGFR_CKDEPI (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m²).

RESULTS

Of the 959 participants, 413 (43.1%) had MetS at baseline. Annual eGFR decline rate was significantly greater in those with MetS than in those without MetS, and the annual eGFR decline rate of < - 1.2 mL/min/1.73 m²/year increased significantly in relation to presence of baseline MetS, especially low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, the incidence rate of CKD after 3 years was 13.5% and increased significantly in relation to presence of baseline MetS, especially its components such as elevated HbA1c. The multivariate-adjusted odd ratio (OR) for CKD in participants with MetS versus those without MetS was 1.55 (0.99-2.43). The multivariate-adjusted ORs for rapid annual eGFR decline rate were significantly high in patients aged ≥ 65 years and presence of medication, regardless of gender and eGFR value.

CONCLUSIONS

Low HDL-C and elevated HbA1c levels correlated significantly with eGFR decline in a short period of 3 years. MetS also showed a significant association with eGFR decline. This study suggests the importance of low HDL-C and elevated HbA1c in the effect of MetS on eGFR decline rather than obesity among Japanese community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese without CKD.

Metabolic syndrome and its components are related to a higher risk for albuminuria and proteinuria: Evidence from a meta-analysis on 10,603,067 subjects from 57 studies

BACKGROUND & AIM

Previous studies have explored the relation of metabolic syndrome (MetS), its components and the risk of albuminuria/proteinuria but their results are inconsistent. Then, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis in order to resolve these controversies.

METHOD

PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched from their inception to 1 march 2018. Risk estimates and their 95% confidence intervals were extracted and pooled using the random-effects approach.

RESULT

A total of 57 studies, 44 studies on albuminuria and 13 studies on proteinuria, with a total sample size of 10,603,067 participants, were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, MetS was contributed to higher risks of proteinuria (OR = 2.08, 95%CI = 1.85-2.34) and albuminuria (OR = 1.92, 95%CI = 1.71-2.15), independent of diabetes status; although, this relationship was more noticeable in studies that used the WHO definition of MetS and in non-East Asian populations. Also, the relationship between MetS and proteinuria was sex independent, while, for albuminuria was significant only in men. MetS components such as obesity, impaired fasting glucose, elevated blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with significant increases in proteinuria and albuminuria risk, while lower HDL-Cholesterol was only linked to greater risk of proteinuria. Moreover, the total impact of MetS on proteinuria was more remarkable than each component of the syndrome and an escalating dose-response association was found between the number of MetS components and albuminuria risk.

CONCLUSION

MetS and its components are potential risk factors for albuminuria and proteinuria.

Elevated High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Increases the Risk of Microalbuminuria in Subjects With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Microalbuminuria is an early biomarker of kidney injury, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on microalbuminuria in adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. A total of 5667 subjects who voluntarily attended annual health screenings in the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were included in the study. Logistic regression was used to determine the validity of hs-CRP to predict the presence of microalbuminuria. In the unadjusted regression analysis, male gender (OR 2.23), age (OR 1.71), smoking status (OR 1.48), obesity (OR 2.41), hypertension(OR 4.03), diabetes (OR 4.61), hyperuricemia (OR 1.83), and high hs-CRP(OR 1.61) were associated with microalbuminuria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratios (OR) of diabetes, hypertension, male, abdominal obesity, and high hs-CRP for microalbuminuria were 2.71, 2.57, 1.51, 1.28 and 1.41 in all subjects, respectively (P < 0.01). ROC analysis indicated that the cut-off for hs-CRP with better properties for screening of microalbuminuria was identified as ≥0.85 mg/L. The ORs of microalbuminuria were 1.97, 1.49, 1.32 and 1.71 times in male, abdominal obesity, diabetes and hypertension subjects with hs-CRP ≥ 0.85 mg/L, respectively, compared with those without elevated hs-CRP (P < 0.01). Elevated hs-CRP level was associated with microalbuminuria independent of cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, elevated hs-CRP increased the risk of developing microalbuminuria in subjects with CVD risk factors, indicating that chronic inflammation could amplify the deterioration of kidney by effect of CVD risk factors.

All Components of Metabolic Syndrome Are Associated with Microalbuminuria in a Chinese Population

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Albuminuria is a well-known predictor of poor renal and cardiovascular outcomes and associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. The study aimed to evaluate the associations between metabolic characteristics and the presence of albuminuria.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 18,384 adult Chinese who participated in health examinations during 2013-2014. Differences in clinical characteristics were compared for microalbuminuria (MAU) and albuminuria, and between genders. Potential risk factors associated with the risk of developing MAU and albuminuria were analyzed using univariate logistic regression. Multiple logistic regression was applied to further identify the independent associations between different levels of risk factors and the presence of MAU and albuminuria. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to determine the discriminatory ability of metabolic risk factors in detecting albuminuria.

RESULTS

There were significant gender differences in clinical characteristics according to albuminuria status. Risk for the presence of albuminuria was significantly associated with age, male gender, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), hypertension, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) in univariate logistic regression. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors significantly associated with the presence of MAU were WC > 90cm, WHtR at 0.6-0.7, hypertension, FPG > 6.1 mmole/L, and TG/HDL-C ratio > 1.6. The optimal cutoffs for risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) to predict albuminuria in males and females were: WC, 90.8 vs. 80.0 cm; WHtR, 0.53 vs. 0.52; MAP, 97.9 vs. 91.9 mmHg; FPG, 5.40 vs. 5.28 mmole/L; and TG/HDL-C, 1.13 vs. 1.08.

CONCLUSION

MetS and all its components were associated with the presence of MAU in a health check-up population in China. Gender specific and optimal cutoffs for MetS components associated with the presence of MAU were determined.

Relationships Between Metabolic Syndrome, Microalbuminuria, and C-Reactive Protein in Turkish Kidney Transplant Recipients

AIM

The aims of this study were to report the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a cohort of Turkish kidney transplant recipients and to define the relationships between MS, microalbuminuria and C-reactive protein (CRP), which are cardiovascular risk factors, in kidney transplant setting.

METHODS

This cross sectional study included 170 adult renal transplantation recipients with a mean follow-up of 53.1 ± 49.9 months. The diagnosis of MS was made according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. Microalbuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio of 30-300 mg/g. CRP levels ≥6.0 were classified as high CRP.

RESULTS

Mean age was 39.3 ± 11 years. The prevalence of MS was 45.8% (n = 78). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was not different in patients with MS compared to those without MS (39.7% vs 37%, P = .428). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, systolic blood pressure (SBP) (odds ratio 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-2.52; P = .011) and high fasting glucose (odds ratio 2.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-6.86; P = .022) were significantly associated with microalbuminuria. When patients with MS and high CRP were compared with patients with normal CRP and without MS, microalbuminuria did not differ between the groups (P = .213).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of MS in our kidney recipient cohort was found to be increased compared to general population. MS was not related to increased prevalence of microalbuminuria, even when combined with high CRP. Microalbuminuria was associated with elevated SBP and hyperglycemic status.

Elevated Systemic Neutrophil Count Is Associated with Diabetic Macroalbuminuria among Elderly Chinese

Background. This study investigated an association between systemic absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and albuminuria in elderly Chinese people. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2265 participants attending a routine medical examination in Minhang District as part of a Platform of Chronic Disease program. Their drug history, waist circumference, height, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, ANC, and urine albumin levels were recorded. This study conformed to the requirements of the STROBE statement. Results. Of the 2265 subjects, 1254 (55.4%) were diabetic and 641 (28.3%) had albuminuria. The mean ANC of patients with diabetes comorbid with macroalbuminuria was significantly higher than that of both the nondiabetic patients and patients with diabetes with lower levels of albuminuria; the latter 2 groups had statistically similar ANC. ANC significantly and positively correlated with levels of urine albumin. Based on multivariate analysis, with each 10(9)/L increase in ANC, the increase in rates of macroalbuminuria was significant but not in rates of albuminuria positivity. Based on areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, ANC was the strongest factor predicting macroalbuminuria. Conclusions. Elevated ANC was associated with macroalbuminuria in diabetes, indicating that neutrophil-mediated inflammation may be involved in the exacerbation of albuminuria.

The significance of screening for microvascular diseases in Chinese community-based subjects with various metabolic abnormalities

BACKGROUND

To assess the association of albuminuria and retinopathy with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the related metabolic components defined by various criteria in Chinese community-based subjects.

METHODS

A total of 3240 Chinese subjects were recruited from urban communities and classified into subgroups with isolated or concomitant state of the two microvascular diseases. MetS was defined according to the standard of International Diabetes Federation, the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III and Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS), separately. Albuminuria was defined as an elevated morning urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Retinopathy were identified with nonmydriatic retinal photographs according to the Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the contributive risk factors.

RESULTS

The subgroup of isolated retinopathy was the oldest (P<0.05), with higher blood pressure (P<0.001) and larger waist circumference (P<0.05). After adjusting for age, sex and other metabolic components, individuals with blood pressure over 130/85 mmHg were prone to have isolated albuminuria (OR: 1.51, P = 0.0001); while individuals with fasting plasma glucose over 5.6 mmol/L were in high risk of retinopathy concomitant with albuminria (OR: 3.04, P = 0.006). Larger waist circumference was a potential risk factors for isolated albuminuria and isolated retinopathy, though not significant after further adjustment of other metabolic components. The risk for albuminuria and retinopathy increased with the aggregation of three or more metabolic components. However, the MetS per se did not have synergic effect and only the MetS defined by CDS remained as a risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Albuminuria and retinopathy were highly associated with accumulated metabolic abnormalities including sub-clinical elevated blood pressure and elevated fasting plasma glucose.

The prevalence, characteristics, and clinical significance of abnormal albuminuria in patients with hypertension

Kidney function and cardiovascular disease are closely connected and albuminuria is a proven marker of cardiovascular risk. The present study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of albuminuria in patients with hypertension. Outpatients with essential hypertension under medical treatment were enrolled in this study (n = 350, 70.0 ± 11.4 years old). Urine samples were collected for the measurement of albumin concentration, which are expressed as the ratio of urine albumin to creatinine concentration (mg/g Cr). Cross-sectional analyses were also performed of the relationships between urinary albumin and other variables. Urinary albumin was detected in 88.3% of patients, while only 35.4% showed abnormal albuminuria (≥30 mg/g Cr). The presence of abnormal albuminuria was independently correlated with systolic blood pressure, B-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein by multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis identified systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, B-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein as the only factors showing independent correlation with urinary albumin (P < 0.05). Thus, approximately 35% of hypertensive patients had abnormal albuminuria. Urinary albumin was closely associated with blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and B-type natriuretic peptide, indicating that the severity of albuminuria parallels that of systemic inflammation, cardiac load, and blood pressure.

Free triiodothyronine concentrations are inversely associated with microalbuminuria

Thyroid function and microalbuminuria are both associated with vascular disease and endothelial damage. However, whether thyroid function is associated with microalbuminuria is not well established. The objective was to explore the relationship between thyroid hormones and microalbuminuria in Chinese population. A community-based cross-sectional study was performed among 3,346 Chinese adults (aged ≥ 40 years). Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) were determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. A single-void first morning urine sample was obtained for urinary albumin-creatinine ratio measurement. The prevalence of microalbuminuria decreased according to FT3 quartiles (13.2, 9.5, 8.6, and 8.2%, P for trend = 0.0005). A fully adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that high FT3 levels were associated with low prevalent microalbuminuria. The adjusted odds ratios for microalbuminuria were 0.61 (95% CI, 0.43-0.87, P = 0.007) when comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of FT3. The exclusion of participants with abnormal FT3 did not appreciably change the results (OR = 0.69, 95% CI, 0.49-0.98, P = 0.02). We concluded that serum FT3 levels, even within the normal range, were inversely associated with microalbuminuria in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults. FT3 concentrations might play a role in the pathogenesis of microalbuminuria.