Relationship between White Blood Cell Counts and the Metabolic Syndrome

Seo, Hyun Sook; Yun, Yong Woon; Sohn, Seok Joon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was attempted to identify the relationship between white blood cell counts and the metabolic syndrome.
METHODS
This study included 394 adults who visited the medical checkup center placed in Gwangju, January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. Index of blood test and physical checkup were performed on the study such as triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, fasting sugar and white blood cell counts. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between white blood cell counts, white blood cell differential count and metabolic syndrome with an adjustment age and smoking status.
RESULTS
The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome was 25.3% among males and 13.3% among females, and was particularly high among males in their 40s. The increase in white blood cell counts lead to high prevalence of metabolic syndrome for both males and females. As white blood cell counts increased, the values of body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors were increased significantly. The odds ratio for elevated white blood cell counts increased significantly in the subjects with each components of the metabolic syndrome compared to the subjects without them, The lymphocyte counts in the white blood cell differential counts were higher in patients with metabolic syndrome than in those without.
CONCLUSIONS
High level of white blood cell counts in normal range can be used as indicator in chronic inflammation. Increased white blood cell counts were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome.