[Metabolic syndrome in family medicine]

To investigate the possibilities of diagnosing metabolic syndrome (MS) based on the data collected from patient records at the level of family health care, and to assess possible sex differences in MS prevalence as well as differences between individuals with and without MS.

Data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and laboratory findings (blood sugar, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol) were collected during a one-year period (June 2004 - June 2005) from standardized existing records of all patients covered by three general practitioners in Zagreb. MS was defined according to WHO criteria. Statistical analysis was performed with chi2-test for qualitative and t-test for quantitative variables.

The data recorded showed that general practitioners either did not practice some activities or did not take notes of what they did. The overall incidence of MS was 6.64% (6.01% in men and 6.78% in women). Men and women with MS showed statistically significant differences in BMI (p=0.033) and age (p<0.001). Men with MS showed a statistically significant increase in fasting glucose (p<0.001), triglycerides (p=0.005), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.0020), and lower HDL cholesterol (p=0.021). MS men were older than men without MS (p<0.001). Women with MS had a statistically significantly higher level of fasting glucose (p<0.001), triglycerides (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.035), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001), and lower HDL cholesterol (p<0.001) than women without MS. MS women were by 18.6 years older (p<0.001).

The data recorded by general practitioners in medical documentation are sufficient for MS diagnosis. However, the low prevalence of MS shows inadequate awareness of the role of MS in cardiovascular disease.