C-reactive protein: Its correlations with pulmonary function, physical capacity and anthropometric measurements in patients with metabolic syndrome

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of conditions which increase risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Several studies have demonstrated that C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of systemic inflammation is an independent predictor of future risk for cardiovascular events among healthy individuals. In addition, it has been stated that CRP might be an indicator of severity of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Aims: We aimed to assess the relations of CRP with pulmonary function (PF), physical capacity (PC) and anthropometric measurements in MS. Methods: Twenty nine participants with MS were included in the study. The CRP and fasting insulin and glucose to determine insulin resistance (HOMA) were analyzed with blood test. The participants underwent spirometry. The PC was determined by incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT). Body mass index (BMI), fat free mass (FFM), body fat (BF), body fat percentage (%BF ) were assessed with bioelectrical impedance. Result: The CRP was negatively correlated with TLC (p=0.011), FVC (p=0.033), FEV 1 (p=0.034), IC (p=0.017), %MEF 75 (p=0.035), ISWT distance (p=0.035) and positively correlated with BMI (p=0.004), waist/height ratio (p=0.033), BF (p=0.030), %BF (p=0.015). There were not relations of CRP with FFM (p=0.653) and HOMA (p=0.954). Conclusions : It was found negative relationships between CRP level with PF and PC. On the contrary, there were positive correlations of CRP with parameters of BC. We think that it can be provided decline in the CRP level and increment in PF improving the functional capacity and body composition with aerobic exercise in patients with MS.