Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult population in Shiraz, southern Iran.

AIM: Metabolic syndrome (MSx) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated the prevalence of MSx in adult population in Shiraz, southern Iran.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study conducted between October 2012 and April 2013, using a simple random sampling method, 377 adults aged more than 20 years who were invited for periodic health examinations to Petroleum Industry Health Organization Polyclinic, a general health care center, Shiraz, southern Iran, were studied. The revised National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III was used for the diagnosis of MSx.

RESULTS

The participants included 190 women and 187 men with a mean±SD age of 43.8±11.0 (range: 20-86) years. Of 377 participants, 101 (26.8%, 95% CI: 22.3-31.3%) had MSx. The prevalence in men (16.6%) was significantly (p<0.001) lower than that in women (36.8%). The prevalence increased by almost 15% with each decade of life (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of MSx in our population, particularly in women, is high. Strategies should be planned to prevent the increasing prevalence of MSx in our country.