Correlation of Metabolic Risk Factor Clusters With Low-Grade Inflammation: A Cross-Sectional Clinical-Immunological Study of Adult Patients

Abstract

Immunometabolism refers to the reciprocal relationship between metabolic impairment and immune-inflammatory processes. Obesity, dyslipidemia, inadequate glycemic control, and hypertension contribute to persistent low-grade inflammation; yet, regular clinical datasets are underutilized for practical immunometabolic risk assessment. Objective: This study examined the correlation between metabolic risk clustering and low-grade inflammatory activity, and assessed the effectiveness of a composite Immunometabolic Risk Score (IMRS) as a practical tool for identifying persons at heightened immunometabolic risk. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional research was conducted utilizing data from 110 persons. Demographic, anthropometric, blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose, white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) factors were examined. An Immunometabolic Risk Score (IMRS; range 0-6) was developed utilizing obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C, raised LDL-C, hyperglycemia, and increased blood pressure. Spearman correlation, non-parametric group comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression were employed. Results: The group comprised 47 males (42.7%) and 63 females (57.3%), with a mean age of 52.60 ± 8.54 years. Ninety-two patients (83.6%) exhibited a high IMRS (≥4), while 26 patients (23.6%) had a CRP level over 3 mg/L. CRP exhibited a positive correlation with triglycerides (rho=0.468, p<0.001), LDL-C (rho=0.439, p<0.001), glucose (rho=0.313, p<0.001), and IMRS (rho=0.313, p<0.001), while demonstrating a negative correlation with HDL-C (rho=-0.344, p<0.001). CRP exhibited a substantial variation among IMRS groups (p=0.002). The ESR had a diminished positive correlation with IMRS (rho=0.213, p=0.026). The composite IMRS exhibited substantial correlations with inflammatory burden, indicating its potential as a practical screening instrument for immunometabolic dysfunction in standard clinical practice. Conclusion: Metabolic risk clusters correlated with low-grade inflammatory activity, notably an increase in CRP levels. These findings underscore the clinical significance of immunometabolic profiling by standard laboratory indicators, while emphasizing the necessity for prospective validation with a wider array of immunological biomarkers.