Correlation of serum NT-proBNP levels with metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in adults with metabolic syndrome: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

A major global health concern, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is linked to an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and early death. In high-risk groups, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has become a viable biomarker for subclinical cardiac dysfunction. To estimate serum NT-proBNP levels in patients with MetS and investigate their correlation with metabolic parameters and echocardiographic findings. Hospital-based, analytical, and cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of general medicine, at a tertiary care teaching hospital from South India. There were 52 adult patients with MetS (American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, 2003 criteria) aged 18–65 years. ELISA was utilized to measure serum NT-proBNP. Echocardiographic, biochemical, and clinical parameters were recorded with the aim to evaluate the correlations with NT-proBNP levels. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 24. Independent t-test, Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test, and Spearman’s correlation were applied. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Most of the participants (96.2%) had NT-proBNP levels below 125 pg/ml. Elevated very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) ( P = 0.004) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction ( P = 0.002) were significantly correlated with NT-proBNP levels. Total cholesterol and NT-proBNP levels were found to be positively correlated (ρ =0.298; P = 0.032). There were no significant correlations found with low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, fasting glucose, or left ventricular mass index. In MetS patients, NT-proBNP is correlated with early functional cardiac changes (LV diastolic dysfunction) and metabolic abnormalities (cholesterol and VLDL) but not with structural indices. In this population, it might function as a sensitive biomarker for early cardiovascular risk stratification.