ASSOCIATION OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AND HYPERTENSION IN A MOROCCAN POPULATION

Abstract

Objective: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is an emerging entity that groups together several metabolic abnormalities in the same individual that predispose to cardiovascular risk. However, among hypertensive patients, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality, and the prevalence of MS is not well known. We aim to estimate the prevalence of MS and its associated factors in a sample of patients with hypertension. Design and method: A cross-sectional study including 352 patients with arterial hypertension (> 20 years), The following measurements were performed: blood pressure; Body mass index (BMI); Plasma glucose and lipid levels. Blood pressure criteria was mean systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic arterial pressure > 90 mmHg; and the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was retained according to WHO criteria and NCEP-ATP III criteria. Results: 352 hypertensive patients, 76 % of whom were women, with a mean age of 60 ± 10 years were analyzed. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 71%, mainly in women. Central obesity was the most frequent component of metabolic syndrome, accounting for 74% of patients (17% of men and 83% of women). Among the other components, low HDL-C was present in 63 % (22% of men and 78% of women), hyperglycemia in 70 % (16% of men and 84% of women), and high triglycerides in 67% (21% of men and 79% of women). Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high in patients with hypertension. This underscores the importance of routine screening of hypertensive patients for other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.