Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome: Impact on Cardiovascular Risk Epidemiology – A Population-Based Study from Malmö, Sweden

Publisher： Karger

E-ISSN： 1424-0556|2|6|273-278

ISSN： 1422-9528

Source： Heart Drug, Vol.2, Iss.6, 2003-04, pp. : 273-278

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Abstract

Background: The metabolic syndrome is an emerging risk factor complex of considerable importance for cardiovascular risk epidemiology. Insulin resistance is regarded as a key factor in this syndrome, which is also known as the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS). Epidemiological studies are needed to estimate the prevalence of the syndrome in various populations and subgroups based on gender or social/ethnic background, in order to be able to plan preventive measures. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and distribution of the metabolic syndrome/IRS and its association with social and ethnical background factors in middle-aged subjects. Methods: This was a cross-sectional case-control study carried out in Malmö, a city in southern Sweden. We included 4,567 subjects, born between 1926 and 1945, participating in a cohort study of diet and disease. The metabolic syndrome/IRS was defined as the presence of insulin resistance (by homeostasis model assessment in normoglycaemic subjects) together with two or more of the following variables: dyslipidaemia (i.e. elevated triglycerides or decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), expanded waist circumference and hypertension. History of lifestyle, marital status, occupation, education level and ethnical background were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of the metabolic syndrome/IRS was 16.7%, with a strong relationship to age. After adjustments for age and sex, the presence of the metabolic syndrome/IRS was associated with the following factors: low physical activity [odds ratio (OR) 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–1.7], high alcohol intake (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4), low educational level (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.8), low social class (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.8) and non-Swedish origin (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9). Conclusions: The distribution of the metabolic syndrome/IRS in the general population is influenced by lifestyle habits, sociodemographic factors and ethnical background.