The Association Of The Metabolic Syndrome With The Presence Of Cardiovascular Episodes In Patients Under Regular Medical Examination

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome(MS) is characterized by individual metabolic disorders, which are often underestimated by patients. Objective: To assess the frequency of MS, its characteristics and relationship with smoking, as well as the presence of cardiovascular events in patients under regular medical supervision. Methods:In 230 patients(51.75%males, median age74years, range16-99years) who came for first time to Primary Health Center, the parameters of MS[waist circumference, blood pressure(BP)], fasting glucose(FG), triglycerides(TG), HDLcholesterol, smoking history and cardiovascular disease, were recorded. The National Cholesterol Education Program(NCEP) and the American Heart Association(AHA) were used to diagnose MS. Results: The incidence of MS was45%. There was no difference between the sexes. Patients with MS were older (73.7±14.4 years) than the rest (65.8±21.5 years, p=0.002). The frequency of the individual parameters were: increased BP 82.1%, increased FG 87.8%, decreased HDL 85.4%, increased TG 29.3% and increased waist circumference 82.5%. Patients with MS had significantly higher FG(p<0.0001), systolic BP(p<0.0001) and total cholesterol (p=0.0001). The frequency of smoking did not differ between those with or without MS. Coronary heart disease(CHD) and history of stroke were associated with age(p=0.0001), the presence of DM(p<0.0001), BP(p<0.0001) and hyperlipidemia(p<0.0001), while they were not related to smoking frequency(p=0.25). In the subgroup of patients without MS, however, smoking was strongly associated with increased frequency of CHD and stroke(p=0.001). Conclusion: MS was common in the rural population and its occurrence was significantly dependent on age. The increased presence of diabetic and hypertensive patients in the sample is emphasized. MS was more strongly associated with the incidence of CHD and stroke than smoking.