Fig. 1

Cross-lagged path analysis models for hsCRP and HOMA-IR hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance; β, standardized regression coefficient; r₁, synchronous correlation; r₂ and r₃, tracking correlations. Goodness-of-fit: root mean square residual = 0.037 and comparative fit index = 0.960. a, p = 0.011 for the difference between β₁ and β₂