Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in a Large Integrated Health Care System in North Carolina

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions--including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia--that are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. No information currently exists regarding the prevalence of MetS in North Carolina. This study determined the prevalence of MetS among adults receiving care in a large integrated health care system in North Carolina.

This study used data from the Carolinas HealthCare System's electronic medical record system and included adults receiving care during 2014. The association between patient demographic characteristics and MetS was determined using multivariable logistic regression.

The prevalence of MetS was approximately 22.5%. Individuals aged 18-29 years were less likely to have MetS compared with those aged 80 years and older (odds ratio [OR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.67). Groups that were more likely to have MetS included women (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.05-1.10), Hispanics (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.23), individuals with Medicare (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.33-1.42), and those with Medicaid (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.58-1.78) compared with men, whites, and those with commercial insurance, respectively.

We excluded individuals with missing data for any of the conditions that define MetS, which may underestimate the actual prevalence of this condition.

The considerable prevalence of MetS in our North Carolina sample suggests that interventions are needed to achieve the state's population health goals.