Evaluation of Metabolic Syndrome Biomarkers as Predictive Indicators for Cardiovascular Risk in Urban vs. Rural Populations: A Comparative Clinical Biochemistry Study
- Apr 24
- 1 min read
Updated: May 10
Original Research | 2026 | Volume 3 | Issue 1 | Page 60- 64
Dr Bhawna Bhimte, Professor Department of Biochemistry, GMC Bhopal (Corresponding Author)
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome serves as a critical precursor to cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet its clinical presentation and predictive power vary significantly across different demographic landscapes. This study evaluates specific biochemical markers of MetS to determine their efficacy as predictive indicators for cardiovascular risk, comparing urban and rural populations.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 600 participants (300 urban, 300 rural) aged 30–65 years. Clinical biochemistry profiles were analyzed, focusing on fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were recorded to calculate Framingham Risk Scores.
Results: Urban participants exhibited significantly higher mean levels of TG (168/pm 22 mg/dL) and FBG compared to the rural cohort (134/pm 18 mg/dL, p < 0.05). However, the correlation between hs-CRP and 10-year CVD risk was more pronounced in the rural group, suggesting that systemic inflammation may be a more sensitive predictor in populations with lower baseline BMI. Prevalence of MetS was higher in urban areas (38%) than rural (22%), but the rate of undiagnosed hypertensive urgency was notably higher in rural subjects.
Conclusion: While traditional lipid markers remain robust indicators in urban settings, hs-CRP and waist-to-hip ratios provide superior predictive value for cardiovascular events in rural populations. These findings emphasize the need for population-specific diagnostic thresholds in clinical biochemistry to optimize early intervention strategies and reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome, Cardiovascular Risk, Clinical Biochemistry, Urban vs. Rural Health, Biomarkers.