General characteristics of the study population.

Data were means±SD or medians (interquartile range) for skewed variables, or proportions for categorical variables;
*P<0.0001 comparing to Non MetS group; #: P<0.001 comparing to Non MetS group;
Ptrend was calculated from CMH chi-square tests for categorical variables and linear regression analysis for continuous variables.
Abbreviations: MetS, metabolic syndrome; UACR, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio; BMI, body mass index; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; TC, total cholesterol; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein; FPG, fasting plasma glucose; OGTT-2 h PG, OGTT 2-hour plasma glucose; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; FINS, fasting serum insulin; ALT, aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; GGT, γ-glutamyltransferase; ALB, albumin; eGFR, estimate glomerular filtration rate;
Because of the statistical difference in UACR values between male and female, the study population was divided into four groups by sex-specific UACR quartiles.
(UACR quartiles cut-off points for male: 0 mg/g