Effect of elevated body mass index on glycated albumin levels in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Glycated albumin (GA) is a useful marker for short-term glycemic control, but its levels may be influenced by body composition. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of increasing body mass index (BMI) on GA levels in healthy individuals. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included healthy individuals with normal and elevated BMI. Individuals with diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, acute infection, a history of cardiovascular events, malignancy, chronic liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, anemia, morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²), or any other condition known to affect GA levels were excluded. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were obtained and compared between normal and elevated BMI groups. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. RESULTS: A total of 52 individuals with elevated BMI and 49 with normal BMI were included in the analysis. Individuals with elevated BMI had significantly lower levels of GA (42.8 ± 7.2 vs. 51.3 ± 6.0, p < 0.001), while levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were markedly higher (0.6 ± 0.4 vs. 0.4 ± 0.2, p < 0.001 and 13.5 ± 12.3 vs. 8.3 ± 7.5, p = 0.002; respectively). BMI showed a moderate inverse association with GA (r=-0.583, p < 0.001). Moreover, BMI was positively associated with CRP (r = 0.366, p < 0.001) and ESR (r = 0.299, p = 0.002). In addition, GA levels exhibited negative correlations with CRP (r=-0.401, p < 0.001) and ESR (r=-0.384, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that BMI was independently associated with GA levels (B=-2.727, 95% CI:-5.077 to -0.377, p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a potential inverse association between BMI and GA levels. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.