High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Level Increases with Rise in Body Mass Index and not Affected by Perceived Stress in Young Saudis

Author(s):

Syed Najamuddin Farooq*, Ammad Ahmed, Muhammad Amir Mustufa, Muhammad Irfan Safi Rizvi, Abdul halim S. Serafi and Aisha Azmat khan

Obesity is reported to be associated with chronic low-grade inflammatory state, indicated by increased plasma level of C-reactive protein (CRP). Moreover, high prevalence of overweight and obesity among young Saudis is a serious health concern. Therefore, we designed this study to investigate the effect of obesity and perceived stress on plasma high sensitivity (hs)-CRP level in young Saudis. A total of 472 young healthy males (age, 19 ± 2) were categorized as underweight, normal, overweight and obese based on their body mass index. Plasma levels of hs-CRP levels were measured by nephlometry. In addition, the level of stress among the participants was determined using PSS-14 questionnaire. The results showed about 11% (53/472) underweight, 21% (100/472) overweight, 24% (114/472) obese and 43% (201/472) normal subjects. Mean values of hs-CRP obtained from these groups showed a rising trend being minimum in underweight while maximum in obese. The mean values of hs-CRP among different BMI categories was significantly different P=0.001. We also observed a significant Positive correlation between plasma hs-CRP level and Body mass index (BMI), Weight, Waist circumference (WC), Hip circumference and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR). Thirty percent (142/472) of our participants were found to be stressed. However, there was no significant difference in their hs-CRP levels. Pearson correlation between perceived stress scores, anthropometric parameters and hs-CRP levels were not significant. On the basis of these findings we can conclude that higher the BMI higher will be the level of plasmahs- CRP level representing presence of a state of low grade systemic inflammation in overweight and obese subjects, which might lead to cardiovascular events.