Elevated white blood cell count is associated with prevalence and development of the metabolic syndrome and its components in the general population

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by chronic inflammation. We aimed to determine the association of white blood cell (WBC) count with prevalence and development of the MS and its components in the general population. A cohort of 1,329 subjects from the local working population aged 41.3 ± 7.5 years and recruited since 2000–2008 was followed up for 4.0 ± 1.2 years. WBC count and MS components were determined at baseline and follow-up. To determine whether WBC predicted incident MS, we used a logistic regression analysis adjusted for demographics, baseline variables that define MS components, smoke, medications, and follow-up duration. Cross-sectionally in the whole population, WBC count increased in parallel with the number of MS components in the same individual, and the presence of each component was associated with higher WBC count. Baseline WBC count was significantly higher in subjects with prevalent MS. Among subjects without MS at baseline, those who developed MS had significantly higher WBC than those who did not develop MS at follow-up. Development of each MS component was associated with increased WBC count. WBC count remained significantly associated with MS development after correction for several potential confounders (OR for 1 SD increase in WBC 1.26; 95 % CI 1.01–1.58). In conclusion, elevated WBC is intimately linked to the prevalence and future development of the MS in a young population of working subjects.