CRP and suPAR are differently related to anthropometry and subclinical organ damage

Abstract Background Low-grade inflammation is a marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) independently predict CVD. We tested the hypothesis that these biomarkers reflect different aspects of the inflammation associated with CVD. Methods We studied 2273 subjects without CVD. Log-transformed CRP and suPAR were included in general linear and logistic regression models to compare associations with measures of anthropometry and subclinical organ damage (SOD). Owing to interactions on body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.0001), the population was stratified by gender and smoking concerning anthropometry. Results In both genders, independent of smoking, log-CRP was positively associated with BMI (β: 0.28 to 0.40, P < 0.001) and waist circumference (WC) (β: 0.27 to 0.42, P < 0.001). In contrast, in smoking women and men, log-suPAR was negatively associated with BMI and WC (β: − 0.09 to − 0.19, P < 0.05). In non-smoking women, log-suPAR was positively associated with BMI and WC (β: 0.14 and 0.16, P < 0.001), whereas no associations were found in non-smoking men. No interactions were found on SOD. Adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and physical activity, log-suPAR was associated with an increased urine albumin/creatinine ratio (standardized odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) for highest vs. lower quartiles: 1.36 (1.21–1.52), whereas log-CRP was not (1.10 (0.99–1.22))), and extent of atherosclerosis (standardized proportional odds ratio (95% CI) for carotid plaques 0, 1 ≤ to ≤ 3, > 3: 1.31 (1.16–1.47), whereas log-CRP was not (1.00 (0.89–1.11))). Conclusions CRP is positively associated with anthropometric measures, whereas suPAR is linked to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.