The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a local population in India

Introduction: People with metabolic syndrome are about twice as likely to develop cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and over four times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome. This cross-sectional population based study was under taken to explore the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a local population in India. Materials and methods: The prevalence was assessed in a group of 1,568 patients referred to High Tech Hospital affiliated to Vinayaka Missions University, Salem, India. We have analyzed the overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome, as well as the number of components of the metabolic syndrome present in the individuals in this study. For all subjects following variables were collected: age, gender, waist circum ference, blood pressure and fasting clinical chemistry parameters. Blood pressure was monitored and measured in a sitting position by a mercury sphygmomano meter. Blood samples for HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting glucose were collected after 12h over night fast. Results: In our group 33.17% of males and 27.04% of females wereidentified as having the me tabolic syndrome. Waist circum ference, dyslipi demia and impaired glucose tolerance we re significantly more prevalent in our male subjects than in females. Mul tip le lo gistic regression analysis showed that increasing age (OR (95% CI) = 1.06 (1.040-1.070); P < 0.001) and male gender (OR (95% CI) = 1.50 (1.190-1.890); P < 0.05) we resignificant predictors of metabolic syndrome in India. Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome is substantial ly prevalent in India. Its prevalence in creases with age and is higher in menthan in women. A further study is required to understand the role and inter-relationship between some moreand less known factors possibly associated with the metabolic syndrome.