Association of Elevated C-reactive Protein with Body Mass Index and Gender in Individuals with Diabetes: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Background: Numerous factors have been determined to impact the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) synthesized by the hepatocytes. When an infectious or inflammatory condition is in its acute stage, the level rises. Existing evidence observed elevated levels of CRP in diabetes, but data on the impact of various parameters on CRP levels in people with diabetes are still lacks. Aim: The cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between CRP levels and body mass index (BMI), gender, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and other clinical indicators in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The study was conducted at a comprehensive diabetes care center in Kerala, India, and included 1006 individuals with type 2 diabetes with a median age of 63 years. The association between CRP levels and various parameters was analyzed using statistical methods. Results: The findings from the study demonstrate a strong correlation between BMI and CRP levels. There were notable differences in CRP levels between the BMI groups of normal, overweight, and obese individuals. The intriguing finding was that women were reported to have higher CRP levels compared to males. The findings of the subgroup analysis, depending on the duration of diabetes, showed that BMI, HbA1c, and age had distinct impacts on CRP levels. While GLPs and gliflozins had no effect on CRP levels, statin use dramatically reduces CRP levels, according to analysis of the effects of several drugs on CRP levels. Conclusion: The study eventually reached the conclusion that to prevent adversities, it is critical to evaluate body responses, such as inflammation and the proteins associated with it, because diabetes is a lifestyle disorder that can have devastating implications.