Prevalence Of Metabolic Syndrome Research Articles

Liver magnetic resonance imaging, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome risk in pre-pubertal Mexican boys.

Rising global pediatric obesity rates, increase non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence, with MetS being a NAFLD risk factor. NAFLD can be asymptomatic, with liver function tests insensitive to mild disease, and liver biopsy, risking complications. Thus, we investigated multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) metrics of liver fat (proton density fat fraction, PDFF) and disease activity (fibro-inflammation; iron-corrected T1, cT1), in a Hispanic pre-pubertal pediatric cohort, with increased risk of NAFLD. Pre-pubertal boys (n = 81) of varying Body-Mass Index (BMI) were recruited in Mexico City. Most children (81%) had normal liver transaminase levels, 38% had high BMI, and 14% had ≥ 3 MetS risk factors. Applying mpMRI thresholds, 12%, 7% and 4% of the cohort had NAFLD, NASH and high-risk NASH respectively. Participants with ≥ 3 MetS risk factors had higher cT1 (834ms vs. 737ms, p = 0.004) and PDFF (8.7% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001) compared to those without risk factors. Those with elevated cT1 tended to have high BMI and high insulin (p = 0.005), HOMA-IR (p = 0.005) and leptin (p < 0.001). The significant association of increased risk of MetS with abnormal mpMRI, particularly cT1, proposes the potential of using mpMRI for routine pediatric NAFLD screening of high-risk (high BMI, high MetS risk score) populations.

Association between dietary calcium intake and constipation in a metabolic syndrome population: evidence from NHANES 2005-2010.

The global prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is increasing, primarily characterized by abdominal obesity, which significantly heightens the risk of cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancers. Constipation is a common gastrointestinal issue that impacts both physiological and psychological health and worsens with age. Calcium, an essential mineral vital for human health, has been proven to be crucial not only for bone health but also beneficial for gastrointestinal health. However, the results regarding its impact on constipation are inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary calcium intake and constipation in individuals with MetS. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2010. Participants were assessed for MetS based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Dietary calcium intake was evaluated through 24-h dietary recalls, and constipation was defined based on the frequency of bowel movements recorded in the bowel health questionnaire. The relationship between calcium intake and constipation was explored using logistic regression models with adjustment for covariates, and restricted cubic spline analyses were also used to investigate nonlinear relationships. The study included 4,838 adult participants with MetS. Adjusted logistic regression revealed that an increase in dietary calcium intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of constipation (OR: 0.562, 95% CI: 0.379 to 0.835, p = 0.006). Compared to the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of dietary calcium intake significantly decreased the risk of constipation (OR: 0.282, 95% CI: 0.115 to 0.691, p = 0.008). Results from the restrictive cubic spline analysis indicated a negative linear association between dietary calcium intake and constipation risk (non-linearity p = 0.704). The findings suggested that increased dietary calcium intake is associated with a decreased risk of constipation among MetS patients, emphasizing dietary calcium as a potentially modifiable factor for managing gastrointestinal symptoms in this population.

The clock is ticking on schizophrenia: a study protocol for a translational study integrating phenotypic, genomic, microbiome and biomolecular data to overcome disability.

Shared biological factors may play a role in both the cognitive deficits and the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome observed in individuals with Schizophrenia (SCZ). These factors could entail disturbances in tryptophan (Trp) to both melatonin (MLT) and kynurenine (Kyn) metabolic pathways, as well as inflammation and alterations in the gut microbiome composition. The present research project aims to investigate this hypothesis by recruiting 170 SCZ patients from two different recruitment sites, assessing their cognitive functions and screening for the presence of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, we plan to assess the impact of a 3-month cognitive remediation therapy on 30 of these patients. We will analyze clinical data alongside serum biomarkers and gene expression related to the Trp- to MLT and Kyn metabolic pathways, markers of inflammatory and composition of the gut microbiome. The association between Trp-MLT-Kyn levels, expression levels of selected genes, inflammatory markers and clinical phenotypes will be analyses in the context of general linear models. This project has the potential to identify some typical SCZ symptomatic clusters that will be more stringently associated with variations in the Trp-MLT-Kyn/inflammatory system and with a better response to cognitive remediation therapy. Moreover, in a future perspective, it may highlight a group of patients who may benefit from a pharmacological treatment aiming at reinstating the physiological Trp to MLT and Kyn system. Therefore, it has the potential to move research toward a personalized approach for SCZ management.

Prevalence Of Metabolic Syndrome In Vitiligo: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction Vitiligo is a common acquired hypomelanotic disorder of the skin and is characterized by depigmented macules and patches that can appear anywhere on the skin. In pathogenesis, the researchers have suggested an interplay of multiple factors such as genetic, neural, oxidant-antioxidant, biochemical, minerals, and autoimmune processes in the induction of vitiligo. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), also known as Syndrome X is a pathological condition typically characterized by the combination of various interrelated metabolic disorders that include abdominal obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The linkage of skin diseases and MetS is due to ongoing chronic inflammation due to elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, and hormonal abnormalities mostly insulin resistance. Methodology This cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with vitiligo and above 16 years of age. All the patients were sent for analysis of fasting lipid profile and fasting blood glucose level. The waist circumference was measured at the mid-point between the lower border of the rib cage and the iliac crest with a flexible inch tape. The blood pressure was taken in a sitting posture after 10 minutes of rest. The data was collected using a preformed proforma. Results Of the 70 patients, the majority (N=38) were male. The mean age was 37 years with a range from 16 to 79 years. The mean age of male patients was 39.87 ± 17.24 years and female patients was 33.59 ± 13.58 years. The most common clinical type of vitiligo was generalized vitiligo (48.6%) followed by focal (18.6%) and segmental (15.7%). The metabolic syndrome was present in 26 patients (37.1%). The patient with generalized vitiligo had maximum prevalence (n=10) followed by acrofacial vitiligo (n=6). Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with vitiligo. Therefore, vitiligo patients need to be screened for metabolic syndrome to prevent unforeseen complications.

The interplay between healthy lifestyle and body mass index in metabolic syndrome

Abstract The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) tends to increase as body mass index (BMI) increases. However, the interplay between BMI and overall healthy lifestyle in MS remains unclear. We aimed to examine the association between healthy lifestyle and MS in BMI categories. Data comprised participants aged 30-64 years from the Healthy Finland Survey representing the Finnish adults (n = 2027). Information was collected through health examination measurements, blood sampling and questionnaires in 2023. Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS) was defined as: 1) vegetables and fruits several times/day; 2) adherence to physical activity recommendations; 3) sufficient sleep duration; 4) no current daily smoking; 5) no risky alcohol drinking. Total score ranged 0-5; categorized as 0-2 (unhealthiest), 3, 4-5 (healthiest). MS was defined as exceeding risk limit in ≥ 3 of the following conditions: waist circumference, fasting glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure and HDL-cholesterol. BMI (kg/m2) was categorized as normal weight (&amp;lt;25), overweight, and obesity (≥ 30). Weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) stratified by sex were calculated considering sampling design and non-response. In both sexes, the prevalence of MS was lowest in those with normal weight and healthiest lifestyle (men 7%; 95% CI 2-11; women 9%; 6-13) and highest in those with obesity and unhealthiest lifestyle (m 86%; 80-92; w 67%; 56-78). In men, the prevalence of MS decreased within each BMI class as HLS scores increased, but the difference between healthiest and unhealthiest lifestyle was greatest in those with normal weight (7% vs. 26%) and lowest in those with obesity (71% vs. 86%). In women, the differences were greatest among those with overweight. Obesity and unhealthy lifestyle together form a major risk factor for MS. Differences in the prevalence of MS according to lifestyle were evident especially in men with normal weight or overweight, but decreased when the obesity threshold was exceeded. Key messages • Obesity is strongly linked to the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome but maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important regardless of body mass index. • The results indicate the importance of multifaceted prevention influencing lifestyle factors and supporting weight management to enhance the cost-effective prevention of metabolic risk accumulation.

Metabolic syndrome prevalence has increased in Finland from 2000 to 2023

Abstract Obesity presents a metabolic burden that leads to increased non-communicable disease (NCD) morbidity with metabolic syndrome (MS) as a pathway. The aim was to examine the trends in the obesity and MS prevalences. The study included health examination survey data collected in 2000 and 2023 (n = 7 258, 20-64 years). Examination measurements, blood samples, questionnaires, and register data were collected. MS criteria (ATPIII/AHA) included at least 3 of the following: increased waist circumference, elevated fasting glucose or medication, elevated triglyceride or medication, elevated blood pressure (BP) or medication, and decreased HDL-cholesterol or medication. Participants were divided according to BMI (normal weight 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, overweight 25.0-29.9 kg/m2, obesity 30.0-34.9 kg/m2, severe obesity = &amp;gt;35.0 kg/m2). Weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MS and obesity were calculated considering sampling design and non-response. Prevalences of normal weight decreased from 2000 (men 32%, 95% CI 30-35; women 45%, 95% CI 43-47) to 2023 (men 26%, 95% CI 23-28; women 34%, 95% CI 32-37) and obesity increased from 2020 (men 17%, 95% CI 15-18; women 15%, 95% CI 14-17) to 2023 (men 20%, 95% CI 18-22; women 18%, 95% CI 16-20) as did severe obesity (in 2000: men 4%, 95% CI 3-5; 6%, 95% CI 5-7 - in 2023 men10%, 95% CI 8-12; women 13%; 95% CI 11-14). The prevalence of MS increased from 37% (95% CI 34-39) to 45% (95% CI 43-48) in men and 30% (95% CI 28-32) to 37% (95% CI 34-39) in women. The prevalence of MS with obesity varied from 2000 to 2023 from 73-77% in men and 69-61% in women and with severe obesity from 88-91% in men and 79-76% in women. From 2000 to 2023, no MS components remained stable with normal weight (men 29-25%, women 44%) and obesity (both sexes &amp;lt;1%). The prevalence of MS has increased in the last 20 years. Obesity is a major risk factor for MS that increases the future burden MS and, consequently, of NCD on societies. Key messages • Metabolic syndrome has increased in Finland from 2000 to 2023. At the same time, the prevalence of those with normal weight has decreased and severe obesity increased. • The global obesity pandemic will further increase the burden of NCD’s in the future. This is already visible with increasing metabolic syndrome prevalence.

Effect of DASH vs. Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic profile in adults with high normal blood pressure or grade 1 hypertension: the DASH-MedDiet randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Lifestyle interventions are recommended as the first-line treatment to control metabolic syndrome components and improve cardiometabolic profile. However, studies directly comparing the effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) vs. the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on metabolic syndrome prevalence and cardiometabolic risk factors are currently lacking. Purpose We aimed to assess the effects of a 3-month intensive dietary intervention implementing salt restriction either alone or on top of the DASH and MedDiet compared to no/ minimal intervention on metabolic syndrome prevalence and cardiometabolic profile in never drug-treated adults with high normal blood pressure (BP) or grade 1 hypertension. Methods We randomly assigned individuals to the control group (CG, n = 60), salt restriction group (SRG, n = 60), DASH diet with salt restriction group (DDG, n = 60), or MedDiet with salt restriction group (MDG, n = 60). All patients were followed monthly for 3 months in individual sessions coordinated by the clinical dietician. For the patients of all four study groups, the goal was to maintain the initial body weight unchanged. Patients in the CG received general advice on dietary principles for BP control. For the patients in all three intervention groups, the goal was to limit sodium intake to 2,000 mg/ day (equivalent to 5,0g salt/ day). In addition, patients in the DDG and the MDG received an individualized dietary plan with six daily sample menus to facilitate the adoption of the assigned dietary pattern. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake, office BP, and fasting blood samples were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Results According to the intention-to-treat analysis, at 3 months post-intervention, the DDG and the MDG had lower odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of metabolic syndrome [0.29 (0.12, 0.72), and 0.15 (0.06, 0.41), respectively] compared to the CG. Moreover, the MDG had lower odds of elevated BP levels compared to both the DDG and the SRG [0.08 (0.03, 0.19), and 0.13 (0.05, 0.34), respectively], and lower odds of metabolic syndrome compared to the SRG [0.25 (0.09, 0.67)]. In addition, the DDG and the MDG had lower odds of elevated fasting glucose compared to both the CG and the SRG, whereas the study groups did not differ regarding the odds of elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, and reduced HDL- cholesterol. Regarding cardiometabolic indices, total and LDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and systolic/ diastolic BP were reduced in all three intervention groups compared to the CG. Conclusions On a background of salt restriction, the MedDiet was superior in BP reduction, but the DASH and MedDiet reduced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome to the same extent.

Predictive machine learning algorithms for metabolic syndrome among Tunisian adults

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MS), a cluster of interconnected risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, poses a significant health burden globally. In Tunisia, amidst an ongoing epidemiological transition, the prevalence of MS presents a growing concern. Our study aimed to identify the potential risk factors of MS and propose better machine learning (ML) based models for predicting MS among Tunisian adults. Methods Data was sourced from the Tunisian Health Examination Survey THES-2016, encompassing individuals aged 20 years and older. MS was defined based on the criteria set by the International Diabetes Federation. Logistic regression (LR) was employed to determine risk factors for MS. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Five ML algorithms (Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), AdaBoost, and Random Forest (RF)) were utilized to predict MS. Performance evaluation was conducted using accuracy, precision, recall, and area under the curve (AUC) metrics. Results Among the 8908 participants, the prevalence of MS was 32.8% (95% CI: 31.4% - 34.6%). LR identified age group 60-69 years (aOR: 18.5, 95% CI: 16.9-19.9, p &amp;lt; 0.001), female sex (aOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-1.9), sedentariness (aOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.5-1.8) and low education level (aOR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.4) as significant factors associated with MS. Among ML models tested, AdaBoost had the highest accuracy (89.8%), followed by SVM (89.6%). Naïve Bayes had the highest Recall (98.1%) and the most performant AUC (91.4%), while RF had the highest Precision (70.8%). The ANN had an accuracy of 89%, a precision of 70.4%, a recall of 78.7% and an AUC of 85.1%. Conclusions Our study highlighted the effectiveness of ML algorithms like AdaBoost and SVM in predicting MS among Tunisian adults, offering potential as early detection tools. However, further validation with larger datasets is necessary to solidify their utility in healthcare settings. Key messages • Metabolic syndrome, a complex of cardiovascular risk factors, presents a substantial global public health challenge and is particularly pronounced in Tunisia. • Machine learning algorithms, notably AdaBoost and Support Vector Machine, demonstrate promise in forecasting and addressing metabolic syndrome.in Tunisian adults.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the management of hypertension and the prevalence of lifestyle disease

Abstract Background/Introduction Behavior restrictions after the advent of COVID-19 dramatically changed our lifestyle, which may have affected self-management of metabolic factors in individuals. Purpose We examined possible changes in the prevalence and management of lifestyle-related diseases in the general population. Methods We enrolled 2582 consecutive participants aged ≥20 years (male=6984, 49.5±11.9 year-old) who visited our hospital for their annual physical check-up at least five times between 2017 and 2022. Participants were divided into 2 groups (with [n=739] or without antihypertensive medication [n=1843]) and changes in parameters that are closely related with lifestyle were examined before (2017-2019) and after (2020-2022) the pandemic of COVID-19. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive medications. Diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL, HbA1c ≥ 6.5% or the use of antidiabetic medications. Dyslipidemia was defined as LDL-cholesterol ≥140 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol &amp;lt;40 mg/dL, triglyceride ≥150 mg/dL, or the use of antidyslipidemic medications. Hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid &amp;gt;7.0 mg/dL for men, &amp;gt;6.0 mg/dL for women or the use of anti-hyperuricemic medications. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on Japanese diagnostic criteria (2005). Results The main results are shown in Table. The levels of all parameters were worse in participants with than without anti-hypertensive medication. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome which was higher in subjects with than without anti-hypertensive medication increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the most of parameters were deteriorated after the pandemic, only the management of blood pressure in subjects under antihypertensive medication was improved. Conclusion Behavior restrictions during the pandemic might have unfavorable impact on the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases. Although the control of blood pressure was not worsened, total management was not excellent during the pandemic in hypertensive individuals under medication.Characteristics of study participants

Remnant cholesterol, clinical characteristics and mortality in 41.767 patients from LIPIDOGRAM 2004-2015 studies - the factor analysis for mixed data cluster analysis

Abstract Introduction Remnant cholesterol (remnant-C) contributes to residual cardiovascular risk and is produced by metabolism of triglyceride rich proteins. Aim To assess association between clinical characteristics of patients with elevated remnant-C in a large cohort of patients under the care of primary care physicians. Methods The LIPIDOGRAM studies were carried out in the primary care in Poland in 2004, 2006 and 2015. Patients (n=47,398) recruited in all 16 administrative regions in Poland and physicians were proportionally distributed to the number of inhabitants in each administrative region. Each patient was asked to fill the questionnaire on risk factors, chronic diseases, treatment and lifestyle. In the present analysis we included patients with body mass index (BMI )&amp;gt;18.5 kg/m2 aged 18-75 years. We set the cut-off point of fasting remnant cholesterol at &amp;gt;30 mg/dL (&amp;gt;0.77 mmol/L) that differentiated subjects at high risk of cardiovascular events. We carried out Factor Analysis for Mixed Data (FAMD) cluster analysis to discern groups of patients with similar clinical profiles. Results 41,767 patients, for which we had all relevant data, were included in the analysis. Follow-up rate was 97.8%. Three FAMD-derived clinical characteristics patterns accounted for 47.8% of the total variance and were retained for further analysis. The first pattern was associated with higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), higher waist circumference, higher levels of non-HDL-C and remnant-C levels. The second pattern was distinguished by lipid parameters, particularly higher HDL-C levels, and was not significantly associated with comorbid conditions. The third pattern was linked to male sex, previous myocardial infarction, smoking, age, lower remnant-C levels, and reduced prevalence of obesity. All patterns were associated with 5-year mortality. The hazard ratio (HR) for mortality per 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in the first pattern score was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.16-1.22, p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients with clinical characteristics corresponding to second pattern had more favorable outcome HR (per 1SD score increase) – 0.75, 95%CI (0.73-0.78, p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients in third cluster, similarly to patients in cluster 1 had increased mortality HR (per 1SD score) – 1.10, (95%CI:1.06-1.15, p &amp;lt;0.001). Higher (&amp;gt;0.77 mmol/l / 30 mg/dl) remnant-C cholesterol significantly contributed to classification of patients into first and third clusters. It was positively associated with first pattern (r=0.64, p&amp;lt;0.001), but negatively with the third pattern (r=0.39, p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions Elevated Remnant-C was associated with clinical pattern typical for metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, lower remnant-C levels in patients with comorbidities and more advanced age may not automatically be indicative of a better prognosis – this requires further investigation.Figure 1.Figure 2.

Developing a risk model for early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in Chinese adults aged 40 years and above based on BMI/HDL-C: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of four indicators, including waist-to-height ratio (WHTR), vascular adiposity index (VAI), TG/HDL-C, and BMI/HDL-C for metabolic syndrome (MS) in Chinese adults aged 40 years and above. Additionally, the study aimed to develop an efficient diagnostic model displayed by a nomogram based on individual’s BMI and circulating HDL-C level.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 699 participants aged 40 years and above. Quartiles of BMI/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, VAI, and WHTR were used as independent variables, and metabolic syndrome was used as the dependent variable. Logistic regression was conducted to explore the impact of each parameter on the risk of MS. The areas under the receiver operating characteristics were compared to determine the accuracy of the indicators in diagnosing MS in the participants. Logistic regression was run to construct the nomograms, and the performance of the nomogram was assessed by a calibration curve.ResultsMS subjects had higher levels of BMI, BFM, PBF, VFA, AMC, WC, SCR, TG, and insulin, but lower LDH and HDL-C levels than the subjects without MS. The BMI/HDL-C ratio was positively correlated with the prevalence of MS and its components. The final diagnostic model included five variables: gender, BFM, WC, TG, and BMI/HDL-C. The model showed good calibration and discrimination power with an AUC of 0.780. The cut-off value for the nomogram was 0.623 for diagnosing MS.ConclusionsBMI/HDL-C ratio was an independent risk factor for MS in Chinese adults. BMI/HDL-C was significantly correlated with MS and its components. BMI/HDL-C was the most powerful diagnostic indicator compared to other indicators, including TG/HDL-C, VAI and WHTR for diagnosing MS. The nomogram drawn based on the diagnostic model provided a practical tool for diagnosing MS in Chinese adults.

Sex differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated factors in the general population of Mongolia: A nationwide study.

The prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) between men and women in Mongolia were compared using secondary data from the STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance conducted in 2019. In total, 5,695 participants (2,577 males and 3,118 females) aged 18-69 years old were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of MetS was 37.4% in total and the prevalence was significantly higher in women (39.2%) than men (35.2%, P = 0.002). The most prevalent MetS components were abdominal obesity in women (74.2%) and high blood glucose levels in men (58.7%). All of the 2,128 participants who were categorized into MetS met the criteria of abdominal obesity. Factors associated with MetS included being 30-69 years old compared to 18-29 years old, low and moderate physical activity levels compared to high levels, history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and a high body mass index (overweight and obesity) compared to a normal body mass index in both sexes. Additional factors included Buryat ethnicity compared to Khalkh ethnicity, living in Ulaanbaatar, no education compared to primary education, higher monthly income, and currently drinking in men; and smoking and sufficient fruit and vegetable intake in women. Significant differences were observed between men and women in terms of the prevalence of MetS, components of MetS, and factors associated with MetS. To reduce MetS prevalence in Mongolia, sex-specific programs should be designed to promote health behavior, such as reducing alcohol consumption in men and smoking in women.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Association With Clinical Correlates and Caregiver Burden in Patients With Bipolar Disorder at a Tertiary Hospital

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Association With Clinical Correlates and Caregiver Burden in Patients With Bipolar Disorder at a Tertiary Hospital

High-Fat Diet-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction: Impact on Allodynia and Motor Coordination in Rats.

The associations among increased pain sensitivity, obesity, and systemic inflammation have not been described as related to BBB dysfunctions. To analyze the metabolic, behavioral, and inflammatory effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) and ultrastructural modifications in brain regions, we used an in vivo experimental model. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of two conditions, an ad libitum control group or an HFD (60%)-fed group, for eight weeks. At the end of the protocol, glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. Additionally, we analyzed the response to a normally innocuous mechanical stimulus and changes in motor coordination. At the end of the protocol, HFD-fed rats presented increased HOMA-IR and metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. HFD-fed rats also developed an increased nociceptive response to mechanical stimuli and neurological injury, resulting in impaired motor function. Hypothalamus and cerebellum neurons from HFD-fed rats presented with nuclear swelling, an absence of nucleoli, and karyolysis. These results reveal that HFD consumption affects vital brain structures such as the cerebellum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. This, in turn, could be producing neuronal damage, impairing cellular communication, and consequently altering motricity and pain sensitivity. Although direct evidence of a causal link between BBB dysfunction and sensory-motor changes was not observed, understanding the association uncovered in this study could lead to targeted therapeutic strategies.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in healthcare workers: a cohort study at a designated COVID-19 hospital in Taiwan.

This cohort study aimed to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) among healthcare workers at a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Taiwan. This study recruited 397 healthcare workers who completed health checkups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The differences of MetS and its components prevalence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared using the paired samples t-tests for normally distributed variables, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for non-normally distributed variables. The prevalence of MetS among healthcare workers significantly increased from 20.9% to 28.7% during the pandemic (p < .001). Central obesity and hypertension were the primary contributors to the development of MetS. COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increasing prevalence of MetS in healthcare workers, necessitating health-promoting measures to mitigate this risk.

Plasma signature metabolites of dietary fat intake characterize associations with prevalent metabolic syndrome

Plasma signature metabolites of dietary fat intake characterize associations with prevalent metabolic syndrome

Cardio-Metabolic Risk Profile of Women With Endometriosis: A Population-Based Study.

Endometriosis (EM) and metabolic disorders are frequent health problems among reproductive-aged women worldwide. Cardio-metabolic risk profile of women with EM is not well understood. We aimed to investigate the cardio-metabolic risk profile of Iranian reproductive-aged women with EM. This study included 976 female participants aged 20-45 years of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Endometriosis was diagnosed based on the participants' self-reported previous diagnosis of EM, which was confirmed by reviewing the relevant medical documentation. All biochemical measures (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL], triglycerides [TG], and fasting blood glucose concentrations [FBG]) and measurement of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and anthropometric parameters were performed according to the standard protocol of TLGS. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio of cardio-metabolic disease. Of the 976 study participants, 161 individuals (16.5%) had a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis. There were no significant differences in the median of metabolic parameters among women with and without endometriosis (p > 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in women with EM group compared to the non-EM group (21.9% vs. 14.9%). The presence of endometriosis was associated with an increased odds of metabolic syndrome (adjusted odds ratio 1.99 [95% CI 1.20-3.30]; p = 0.007). And endometriosis significantly increased odds of low HDL by 2.07 (1.02-4.20); after adjustment, it still remained significant (p = 0.03). Endometriosis also increased odds of high waist circumstance significantly (1.58 [1.06-2.37]; p = 0.02). Women with endometriosis may be at an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, high waist circumstance and low HDL compared to their counterparts without the condition. Given the potential cardio-metabolic implications, healthcare providers should consider assessing the metabolic profile of women diagnosed with endometriosis.

Metabolic syndrome among patients with cardiovascular disease in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionMetabolic syndrome, a frequent precursor to many cardiovascular illnesses, is prevalent in Africa. Currently, research on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among cardiovascular disease patients is limited to diabetic, HIV/AIDS, and psychiatric populations. As a result, there is a lack of systematic evidence on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among individuals with cardiovascular disease in African countries, and there is no realistic picture of the continent's prevalence of metabolic syndrome among individuals with cardiovascular disease. This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among individuals with cardiovascular disease. MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines. Systematic electronic searches using databases such as African Journal Online, Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Wiley Online Library were performed from March 15 to April 20, 2024, to retrieve all relevant primary articles reporting the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with cardiovascular disease in Africa. The extracted data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA version 11 (STATA Corp., LLC) to estimate the pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity was tested using the Q statistic, and the I2 test was used to identify possible inter-study variations. ResultsThe initial search identified 1804 articles, which were cataloged in citation management software (EndNote X 7). The current meta-analysis showed that the overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with cardiovascular disease was 38.96 % (95 % CI: 30.51–47.42, I2 = 73.2 %) according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria. The analysis revealed moderate heterogeneity between the included articles. As a result, a random effect model, specifically the Der-Simonian and Laird (D + L) random model, was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with cardiovascular disease. ConclusionThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing at an alarming rate and is high in Africa. Therefore, policymakers, clinicians, and concerned stakeholders should develop effective strategies for the control, prevention, and management of metabolic syndrome.

High Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Female Vegetable Market Traders in Hargeisa, Somaliland: Risk Factors and Implications

High Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Female Vegetable Market Traders in Hargeisa, Somaliland: Risk Factors and Implications

Grip Strength, Anthropometric Indices, and Their Combination in Screening for Metabolic Syndrome in the Korean Population

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors for future diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and low grip strength (GS) is associated with an increased risk of MS. However, the index (among absolute GS, relative GS, and anthropometric indices) that is more strongly associated with MS has not been conclusively identified. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to simultaneously examine the associations of MS with relative and absolute GS and anthropometric indices in a Korean population. Methods: In this large-scale cross-sectional study, we used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 20,915 subjects were included in the statistical analyses. Complex sample binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between MS and indices such as the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body mass index (BMI), and absolute and relative GS. Results: The prevalence of MS was 40.48% in men and 34.4% in women. The mean GS values in the healthy group and MS group were 38.06 ± 0.13 and 38.06 ± 0.15 years for men (p = 0.980) and 22.72 ± 0.07 and 21.19 ± 0.11 years for women (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. Among all the indices, the WHtR was the index most strongly associated with MS in men. Among the GS indices, the GS/weight index was closely associated with MS, and the magnitude of this association was stronger than that of the absolute GS index. In women, the WHtR was the most related index to MS among all the indices. Among the GS indices, the GS/weight and GS/BMI indices were strongly associated with MS, and the magnitudes of these associations were much greater than those of the absolute GS index. Conclusions: Although absolute and relative GS indices are strongly associated with MS in the Korean population, the strongest association was observed for the simple anthropometric index (WHtR).