Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Male Fire Fighters Compared to Prevalence of the United States Male Population at Large as Estimated by the Nation Cholesterol Education Program

Abstract

1111 Examination of The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Experts Panel (NCEP III) reveals that the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in American males was estimated to be approximately 24% (n = 4265). The dangers of the Metabolic Syndrome and it's link to heart disease mortality and morbidity is well documented in the literature. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in a sample of adult male fire fighters and compare these data to results of NCEP III. METHODS: As part of an annual physical exam, 75 male fire fighters (average age = 39.4) underwent evaluation of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP III. These include the presence of three or more of the following: Waist circumference > 40», HDL Cholesterol < 40 mg/dL, Triglycerides > 150 mg/dL, Blood Glucose > 110 mg/dL, and resting blood pressure > 130/85 mm Hg. RESULTS: Of the 75 fire fighters tested, 23 were positive for metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP III. This was well above the incidence predicted for American males by NCEP III (30.7% vs. 24%). Similarly to data from the NCEP III, incidence increased with age, however, the maximum incidence of 44.4% in fire fighters 50 – 59 years of age was considerably higher than NCEP III figures (33%). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the incidence of metabolic syndrome may be higher in male fire fighters than the general American male population. This may translate to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease mortality and morbidity. In addition, this could be an issue of public safety, as the majority of “line of duty” deaths in fire fighting are the direct cause of heart disease.