Serum Adiponectin and C-Reactive Protein Profiles in Metabolic Syndrome patients with Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of cardiovascular and liver diseases, notably non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study assessed the prevalence of MAFLD and biomarker profile, focusing on serum adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP), in 118 MetS patients with NAFLD at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling, and demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were analysed using SPSS version 25. NAFLD prevalence was high (72.9%), with most patients aged 50–70 years (mean 58.1 ± 9.7) and a female predominance (ratio 1.81:1). Fatigue was the most frequently reported symptom. Over 80% of the NAFLD cases demonstrated abnormal biomarker profiles, characterised by either elevated CRP levels or reduced adiponectin concentrations.; however, neither showed an independent association after adjustment. Hypertriglyceridemia emerged as the sole biochemical predictor. NAFLD frequently co-exists with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, reflecting shared metabolic risk factors. Conclusion: These findings highlight the growing burden of NAFLD in our setting, the central role of triglyceride metabolism, and the need for early intervention through lifestyle modification and targeted lipid management. Further longitudinal research is warranted to clarify the role of CRP and adiponectin in disease progression and refine risk-stratification strategies. Keywords: Adiponectin, Diabetes Mellitus, C-reactive protein, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), Metabolic Syndrome (MetS).