Evaluation of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Female Students

Abstract

Abstract Many studies have shown that systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure changes due tohigher weight in both school-age children and in adolescents. Abnormalities of thyroid functionmight be no less important factor in relation to metabolic syndrome. The objective of the studywas to determine the relationship of arterial blood pressure, glucose, adiponectin and thyroidfunction parameters to major risk factors of metabolic syndrome. The risk factors tested werebody mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in female students aged 18 to 25 years. Westudied 105 RSU Red Cross college students aged 18 to 25 years. We calculated their BMI, lungvital capacity (ml), thyroid changes by ultrasound (USG) (27 students) and ECG (79 students). Inaddition, we measured their waist and chest circumferences, and systolic and diastolic bloodpressure in both arms. We determined concentration of glucose, adiponectin, thyroid stimulatinghormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) in blood. Statistical analyses were performed using theSPSS 15.01 package software. There was a statistically significant positive correlation betweenthe arterial blood pressure, BMI and increase of the waist circumference in students (average age20.7 years). The average arterial blood pressure in students was normal. The age at the onset ofmenarche had a significant positive effect on diastolic arterial blood pressure (P = 0.009-0,017).An increase in blood glucose concentration was closely associated with BMI (P = 0.03) and waistcircumference (P = 0.045). However, adiponectin concentration was correlated with systolic (P =0.007-0.048) and diastolic (P = 0.002-0.003) blood pressure. Significant ECG changes werefound in 10% of the subjects, indicating cardiovascular changes in these young women. Thehigher the FT4 and TSH concentrations, the more frequently were observed changes in the ECGST-segment (P = 0.01-0,008). A significant relationship between diastolic blood pressure and theage at onset of menarche (P = 0.009-0.017) was found. Increased arterial blood pressure wasassociated with an increase in BMI, waist circumference and adiponectin concentration, while anincrease in blood glucose concentration was associated with increased BMI and waist circumference,but not with the adiponectin level. Changes in ECG and increased diastolic arterial bloodpressure in relation to menarche indicate a possible role of the endocrine system and genetic factorsin regulation of the main parameters of metabolic syndrome