Metabolic Syndrome of the Elderly Residents in Long- Term Care Facilities

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its related factors in the elderly residents of long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Methods: A total of 362 elderly residents in long-term care facilities in Mid-Taiwan were recruited in 2002-2003. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined by International Diabetes Federation (IDF), America Heart Association and National Heart Lung Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI), and Taiwan. A multiple logistic regression analysis was adopted to explore the relationship metabolic syndrome and age, gender, body mass index (BMI), health related behavioural factors, among performance status etc.. Results: The prevalence of MetS in the elderly residents of long-term care facilities was shown 27.1% (11.4% in male and 39.2% in female) by IDF definition, 36.7% (21.5% in male and 48.5%in female) by AHA/NHLBI definition, and 35.1% (22.2% in male and 45.1% in female) by Taiwan definition. The prevalence of individual component of MetS was higher in women than in men except high blood pressure in all three used definitions. After an adjustment for age, gender, performance status, and health related behavioural factors, metabolic syndrome was found to be strongly associated with BMI, but not the factors in the elderly of these long-term care facilities. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome is common among elderly residents who live in long-term care facilities, however, not associated with health related behavioural factors and performance status.