Objective: Obesity is a complex multi-factorial disease, characterised by increased body fat mass and alterations in behavioural, endocrine and metabolic properties. It has a progressively increasing prevalence and has become a global public health and economical problem. Body Mass Index is a practical and useful parameter in adults. In the present investigation, we aimed to determine the relations between acute phase reactants and obesity.
 

Materials and Methods: Ninety-two patients were included in the study. Patients were randomly classified into three subgroups according to their BMI. Twenty-four patients were in non-obese (BMI<25), 26 in overweight (BMI=25-30) and 42 in obese (BMI>30) groups. After collection of blood samples, eritrocyte sedimentation rate, a-1 acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, transferrin, a-1 antitrypsin and C-reactive protein levels were measured.
 

Results: The levels of a-1 acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, C-reactive protein levels and eritrocyte sedimentation rate were increased in obese patients compared to the non-obese group. a-1 acid glycoprotein levels were increased in obese patients compared to the over-weight group. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant difference between non-obese and over-weight groups regarding all parameters.
 

Conclusion: Acute phase reactants might have important roles in the follow up of obese patients. Our results emphasize the importance of BMI in the evaluation of acute phase reactant analysis in the Turkish population in which the obesity prevalence is up to 20%.