Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, posing a significant public health challenge globally. Early identification of biomarkers for MetS is crucial for timely intervention. This study aimed to explore the association between 24-hour urine indicators (sodium, potassium, creatinine, and microalbumin) and MetS among Chinese adults, providing evidence for early MetS screening and intervention. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017, involving 1175 Chinese residents aged 18-69 years. Data were collected via questionnaires, physical measurements, and laboratory tests, with 24-hour urine samples analyzed for sodium, potassium, creatinine, and microalbumin excretion. Participants were excluded if they had incomplete data, unqualified urine collection, or a self-reported history of hypertension or diabetes. Of the 1175 participants (median age 42 years; 48.17% male), the prevalence of MetS was 11.4%. The median 24-hour urine excretion levels were 158.42/24 hours mmol (sodium), 34.89 mmol/24 hours (potassium), 9.62 mmol/24 hours (creatinine), and 4.31 mg/24 hours (microalbumin). Specifically, 24-hour urine microalbumin excretion was significantly higher in participants with MetS (6.35 mg/24 h) than in those without (4.12 mg/24 h; P < 0.0001), while no significant differences were observed in sodium, potassium, or creatinine excretion between the two groups. Notably, elevated microalbumin excretion was associated with MetS components: central obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting blood glucose, and elevated triglycerides (all P < 0.05). When microalbumin excretion was divided into quartiles, adjusted odds ratios (adjusted for age, sex, and other confounders) for MetS and its component (elevated fasting blood glucose) increased with higher quartiles (MetS: 1.00, 1.53, 1.99, 2.75; P for trend = 0.0004; elevated fasting blood glucose: 1.00, 1.31, 1.35, 2.20; P for trend = 0.0005). These findings indicate that elevated 24-hour urine microalbumin excretion is independently associated with MetS in Chinese adults, suggesting its potential as a practical biomarker for early risk assessment and intervention.