C-reactive protein positively correlates with metabolic syndrome in kidney transplantation patients

Objective: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent risk factor for renal allograft loss and predicts all-cause mortality in kidney transplantation patients. Metabolic syndrome has also been associated with increased mortality in kidney transplantation patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CRP and metabolic syndrome in kidney transplantation patients. Materials and Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 55 kidney transplantation patients. Metabolic syndrome and its components were defined using diagnostic criteria from the International Diabetes Federation. Results: In total, 13 kidney transplantation patients (23.6%) had metabolic syndrome. Fasting CRP levels positively correlated with metabolic syndrome (p = 0.001). Univariate linear regression analysis indicated that fasting serum CRP values were positively correlated with body weight (p = 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.008), body mass index (p < 0.001), and body fat mass (p = 0.042). Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables showed that body mass index (β = 0.455, R² = 0.207, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of serum CRP levels in kidney transplantation patients. Conclusion: CRP level positively correlated with metabolic syndrome in kidney transplantation patients. Body mass index was an independent predictor of serum CRP levels in kidney transplantation patients.