Metabolic disturbances in hypertension: results from the population study 'men born in 1913'

A clustering of metabolic disturbances has been indicated in hypertension. The distribution of such factors was assessed among hypertensives and normotensives in a general population sample of 644 men aged 67 years. Fasting serum insulin, glucose and triglyceride levels were measured. In this study hypertension was defined as DBP > or = 95 mmHg or present use of antihypertensives. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes mellitus, hyperinsulinaemia (> or = 20 mU l-1) and hypertriglyceridaemia (> or = 2.3 mmol l-1) were defined as metabolic disturbances. When all these disturbances were present simultaneously a complete 'metabolic syndrome' was considered to be present. Hypertension was found in 185 (29%) men, IGT in 15%, diabetes mellitus in 11%, hyperinsulinaemia in 18% and hypertriglyceridaemia in 19%. Among hypertensives, 11 (6%) men had a 'metabolic syndrome', compared to 12 (3%) men in the normotensive group (P = 0.039). At least one metabolic disturbance was present in 109 (59%) of the hypertensive men, and in 173 (38%) of the normotensive men (P < 0.001). The prevalence rates of metabolic disturbances did not differ significantly between lean (BMI < 26 kg m-2) and obese (BMI > or = 26 kg m-2) hypertensives. Only hypertriglyceridaemia was more frequent in obese than in lean hypertensives (20% vs. 37%, P = 0.015). The 'metabolic syndrome' was found in 6% of all hypertensives, which was twice as common as in the normotensive population. The 'metabolic syndrome' was uncommon in both lean and obese hypertensives (5% vs. 7%, NS). These findings indicate that hypertension and metabolic disturbances may have a common underlying cause, at least in some individuals.