Compared to the population in the 1st WBC quartile, the population in the 2nd to the 4th quartiles had a higher proportion of men; were older; had a higher proportion of manual occupations; had a higher proportion of former or current smokers and drinkers; had higher proportions of individuals with BMIs ≥24 kg/m2, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia; had higher NEUT, LYM, and platelet counts and CRP levels; had a lower educational level; and had less physical activity, poorer self-rated health, and more cancer and genitourinary disease (all P < 0.001). Here, CRP is linked to diabetes mellitus.