Introduction: The presence of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) indicates that the individual is 2 times more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 5 times to Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Increased Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) and high–sensitivity C–reactive protein(hsCRP)are established predictors of CVD and stroke.We aimed to identify the association between CIMT and hsCRP in MetS in an urban population.

Material and Methods: This is a cross–sectional study carried out in a tertiary care hospital, Meerut. Total 200subjects werestudied including 100 cases and 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. After an overnight fast, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile and hsCRP were performed. CIMT was measured by B–mode ultrasonography.

Results: Age and sex–adjusted CIMT among subjects with the MetS and controls was 0.78 mm ± 0.17mm, and 0.45mm ± 0.09mm (p<0.0001) respectively. Biochemical parameters and hsCRP levels in MetS correlated well with CIMT more strongly than the healthy controls.The values of hsCRP were higher in subjects with MetS (4.87 ± 1.36 mg/l) and lower in healthy control (1.55± 0.78 mg/L) and this was statistically significant (p <0.0001).

Conclusion:Recognising and focusing on the intervention of MetS as early as possible and identifying the susceptible patients who may be benefited from more aggressive preventive therapy is the key for primary prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.