Diabetes
Risk in Middle-Aged Men Predicted with C-Reactive Protein
Elevated
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with an increased risk
of developing type 2 diabetes in middle-aged men independently of
established risk factors,
British
investigators report. This finding supports the theory that low-grade
inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
Dr.
Dilys J. Freeman, of the University of Glasgow and members of the West
of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study Group obtained plasma samples at
baseline from 5245 men, mean age 55.6 years. According to their report
in the May issue of Diabetes, 127 subjects developed diabetes during 5
years of follow-up.
The
mean natural logarithm of sensitive CRP was 1.05 among those who
developed diabetes versus 0.53 for the remainder of subjects,
indicating its strong predictive value (p < 0.0001). Individuals
with CRP greater than 4.18 mg/L had more than six times the risk of
diabetes compared with those with CRP levels 0.66 mg/L or lower.
After
adjustment for baseline body mass index, natural log triglyceride,
blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol, and
natural log white cell count, log CRP level remained a significant
predictor of diabetes (p = 0.0075).
According
to the authors, these findings complement a similar observation of
elevated risk for diabetes in women with higher CRP values. The
association is strengthened by the ability of weight loss,
thiazolidinediones, statins, and ACE inhibitors to decrease insulin
resistance while exerting significant anti-inflammatory effects. Dr.
Freeman's team suggests that inflammatory cytokines may produce
insulin resistance through their effect on insulin receptors or by
stimulating adipocyte lipolysis.
Diabetes
2002;51:1596-1600.
FACT
In
the recent LCIF survey, the results suggest that people with diabetes
are not worried about long-term complications and in fact, 30 percent
find it hard to control their diabetes and just 25% feel guilty about
not taking proper care of themselves.
Yet as many as 70 percent of people with diabetes were unable
to provide their last hemoglobin HbA1c level.
