Components of Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Disability among the Elderly Population.

Fang-Yih Liaw,Li-Wei Wu,Chung-Ching Wang,Yaw-Wen Chang,Tung-Wei Kao,Hui-Fang Yang,Tao-Chun Peng,Yu-Shan Sun,Wei-Liang Chen

doi:10.1038/srep22750

Abstract

The direct relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and function disability has not been established. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between MetS and functional disability in the elderly. This retrospective observational study included 1,778 participants aged 60–84 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2002). Impairments in activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure and social activities (LSA), lower extremity mobility (LEM), and general physical activities (GPA) were assessed. Additionally, the associations between the features of MetS and disability were evaluated. MetS was associated with a high prevalence of functional dependence in ADL, IADL, LSA, LEM, and GPA. After adjusting for potential confounders, a high number of MetS components was found to be associated with increased disability (P = 0.002). Additionally, associations were observed between MetS components, including abdominal obesity and high triglycerides levels, and functional dependence in ADL, IADL, LSA, LEM, and GPA (all, P < 0.05). A linear increase in disability might be associated with the number of MetS components in an elderly population. Additionally, MetS abnormalities, particularly abdominal obesity and high triglycerides levels, might be highly predictive of functional dependence in the elderly.

Highlights

Over the last few decades, life expectancy has gradually increased in the developed countries
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and functional disability in the elderly, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2002
We found an association between the number of MetS components and total functional disability, as well as between the different MetS components and each domain of functional disability (ADL, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure and social activities (LSA), lower extremity mobility (LEM), and general physical activities (GPA))

Summary

Introduction

Over the last few decades, life expectancy has gradually increased in the developed countries. The functional decline in the elderly is expected to increase in the future[1], and this will contribute to the unsustainable health care costs and will become a major public health problem. The prevalence of MetS continues to increase in the elderly population in the US, and interventions for treating and preventing MetS would help avoid functional disability and enhance normal aging[4]. Understanding the characteristics of functional disability in the elderly may facilitate the development of interventions for slowing the rate of further decline. We hypothesized that the presence of a high number of features of MetS might be associated with functional disability in the elderly. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between MetS and functional disability in the elderly, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2002

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion