Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Amol and Zahedan, Iran: A Population Based Study

Purpose: So far, a variety of prevalence rates have been reported for the metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to several definitions. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of MetS in Iran according to two definitions and compare the characteristics of the subjects who met the MetS criteria according to the different definitions. Methods: Participants were recruited from family registries of public health centers. After obtaining demographic and clinical data, the subjects underwent anthropometric measurements and laboratory evaluations. MetS was defined according to the NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria. The subjects were then categorized into 3 groups: 1) Healthy non-MetS subjects based on either definition, 2) Individuals with MetS according to only one of the definitions, and 3) Individuals who met both NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria for MetS. Results: Totally, 5826 subjects in Amol and 2243 subjects in Zahedan were enrolled in the study. The weighted prevalence of MetS according to the NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria was 27.8% and 26.9% in Amol and 12% and 11.8% in Zahedan, respectively. Overall, 18.9% of the subjects fulfilled both criteria for MetS. However, a considerable proportion (8.5%) met the MetS criteria according to only one definition but not both. Conclusions: MetS is increasingly prevalent in Iran as well as other parts of the world. Due to non-uniform definitions of MetS, some of the subjects who meet MetS according to one set of criteria might be considered healthy according to another definition and consequently would not receive the preventive health services.