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 undertaken 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 circumference, blood pressure and fasting clinical chemistry parameters. Blood pressure was monitored and measured in a sitting position by a mercury sphygmomanometer. Blood samples for HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting glucose were collected after 12h overnight fast. Results: In our group 33.17% of males and 27.04% of females were identified as having the metabolic syndrome. Waist circumference, dyslipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance were significantly more prevalent in our male subjects than in females. Multiple logistic 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) were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome in India. Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome is substantially prevalent in India. Its prevalence increases with age and is higher in men than in women. A further study is required to understand the role and inter-relationship between some more and less known factors possibly associated with the metabolic syndrome.