Metabolic syndrome in a family practice population: prevalence and clinical characteristics
Caroline van den Hooven1, Janneke Ploemacher, Marshall Godwin
1Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Metabolic syndrome is common in family practice, affecting one in three adults aged 40-60. Hypertension is the most frequent component, often combined with central obesity and high triglycerides.
Area of Science:
- Family Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
- Understanding its prevalence in primary care settings is crucial for early detection and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome.
- To assess metabolic syndrome in a family practice population aged 40-60.
Main Methods:
- Chart abstraction and patient interviews were conducted.
- Participants were stratified based on metabolic syndrome risk factors.
- Metabolic syndrome was defined by NIH ATP III criteria.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 33% in the study population.
- Hypertension was the most common component (81.6%).
- Central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension were the most frequent combination of three components.
Conclusions:
- Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in this family practice population.
- One in three patients aged 40-60 met the criteria for metabolic syndrome.
- Early identification and management are essential in primary care.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome in a family practice population.
Design:
Chart abstraction and patient interviews.
Setting:
Family Medicine Centre in Kingston, Ont.
Participants:
Five hundred one men and women between 40 and 60 years old registered at the Family Medicine Centre. Based on the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome recorded on their charts (except for waist circumference), participants were stratified into 3 groups. Group 1 were patients without the syndrome (0 or 1 risk factor). Group 2 were patients who might have the syndrome, depending on subsequent measurement of waist circumference (2 risk factors). Group 3 were patients with metabolic syndrome (3 or more risk factors). Patients in group 2 were invited to attend the clinic for an assessment of waist circumference.
Main Outcome Measures:
Presence of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Third Adult Treatment Panel of the National Institutes of Health, based on waist circumference; blood pressure; and serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and glucose levels.
Results:
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this population was 33% (35% among men and 32% among women). Hypertension was the most prevalent component of the syndrome (81.6%). The most common combination of 3 components of the syndrome was central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension (43.7%).
Conclusion:
Metabolic syndrome was prevalent among patients in the family practice studied. One in every 3 patients between 40 and 60 years old met the criteria for the syndrome.
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