CRP and metabolic syndrome: In accordance with previous studies, age ≥ 50 years (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.28–1.52), smoking (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.15–1.35), obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, HR = 2.36, 95% CI = 2.20–2.52), hypertension (HR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.44–1.66), dyslipidemia (HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.36–1.58) and an inflammatory status (CRP ≥ 3 mg/L, HR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.49–1.72) at baseline were markedly associated with type 2 diabetes (all p < 0.001).