PP.29.03

Abstract

Objective: Data on prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in rural regions are still inconclusive and several reports showed it to be higher in urban than in rural areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MS in a rural, continental Croatian part comparing 3 most widely used definitions of MS (NCEP-ATPIII; IDF and WHO). Design and method: We enrolled 1118 (713 female, 405 male) participants from 12 continental, villages. NCEP-ATPIII, IDF and WHO definition were used. Blood pressure was measured according to the ESH/ESC guidelines. Results: In the whole group the prevalence of MS was highest using the IDF definition (IDF vs. NCEP ATPIII vs. WHO (48.6% vs. 44.1% vs. 20.1%, p < 0.03, respectively). Women had more frequently MS (NCEP-ATPIII vs. IDF vs. WHO = 47.4% vs. 57.8% vs. 21.6%;) than men (NCEP-ATPIII vs. IDF vs. WHO = 37.5,4% vs. 51.8% vs. 17.9%) regardless which definition was used (all p < 0.05). We failed to find significant differences between MS and non-MS groups in age. In the whole MS group pathologic waist circumference was present in 81% of examines i.e. visceral obesity was the most prominent finding. Women had pathological waist circumference and men hyperglycaemia and as the most prominent component of MS. Importantly, examinees that did not fulfil criteria for MS also frequently had risk factors: hypertension (37%), viscearal obesity (28%), low HDL cholesterol (6.3%), hyperglycemia (8.1%) and hyperthriglicerydemia (37.3%). Salt intake was very high in the whole group (10.6 gram) without differences between MS and non-MS groups pointing on poor lifestyle habits and inappropriate diet. Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Croatian continental rural population is high according to NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definition. WHO definition is obsolete. Visceral obesity is the main component of MS. Even farmers without MS frequently have risk factors due to bad lifestyle and diet indicating that this population need to be educated.