Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in ethnic groups in China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome is common in China, which has a multiethnic population of 1·3 billion. We set out to establish the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in different ethnic groups. MethodsWe did a nationwide cross-sectional survey of eight ethnicities from six provinces in China. Metabolic syndrome was defined with the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. We analysed results using SPSS version 22·0. We used logistic regression for deriving odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. FindingsBetween June 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2011, 24 796 participants were involved in the survey. The crude prevalence of metabolic syndrome ranged from 3·60% to 21·70% depending on the age group. After age standardisation, the respective prevalence of metabolic syndrome in descending order was 34·53% (Korean), 22·81% (Hui), 19·80% (Han), 13·72% (Miao), 12·88% (Tujia), 12·04% (Li), 11·58% (Mongolian), and 6·18% (Tibetan). Korean ethnicity was associated with a higher prevalence in five components of metabolic syndrome, whereas Tibetan ethnicity was associated with lower prevalence in most of the components except decreased HDL cholesterol. Logistic regression analyses showed that age (OR for 60–86 years old 34·12; 95% CI 24·67–47·18), drinking status (1·35; 1·20–1·51), and not being Tibetan (Han 2·975; 2·194–4·034; Li 2·096; 1·487–2·954; Miao 1·961; 1·262–3·048; Mongolian 1·835; 1·272–2·648; Korean 5·989; 4·249–8·442; Hui 4·020; 2·859–5·653; and Tujia 1·753; 1·166–2·637) were all associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. InterpretationThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean and Hui ethnicities was higher than for the other ethnic groups. Tibetan ethnicity was associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. The ethnic differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components mean that measures to tackle the metabolic syndrome should be tailored to the characteristics of that population. FundingThe Ministry of Science and Technology of P R China (2006FY110300).