Waist to hip ratio predicts plasma CRP concentrations in elderly Taiwanese men and women

Objectives: To evaluate the association of plasma CRP concentration with anthropometric and plasma lipid parameters in elderly Taiwanese.

Methods: Statistically analyzed data from the Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (1999-2000), a national probability sampling study conducted to gain an understanding of the dietary, nutritional and health statuses of elderly Taiwanese.

Results: Results showed that women with waist >80 cm or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) >0.8 had higher CRP (P<0.05) compared to women with waist <80 cm or WHR <0.8. Women with plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) <50 mg/dL had higher CRP compared to women with plasma HDL-C >50 mg/dL (P<0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that log CRP was positively associated with WHR in both genders (P<0.05) after adjusting for confounders. The correlation of CRP with WHR was stronger than with waist circumstance and body mass index (BMI). Log CRP was inversely associated with HDL-C in women, but not men.

Conclusions: The study suggests that among the anthropometric fatness parameters examined, WHR is a stronger predictor for elevated CRP in elderly Taiwanese men and women whereas low HDL-C is a better predictor among the plasma lipid parameters for elevated plasma CRP, at least in women.