Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Metabolic Syndrome in Hypertensive Subjects

(1) To study the prevalence and clinical attributes of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive subjects (2) To identify the factors determining the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive subjects.

After ethical considerations, this prospective observational study was conducted on 151 non-pregnant essential hypertensive adults. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made as per the NCEP - ATP III criteria. The parameters were compared with those of hypertensive subjects without metabolic syndrome.

Amongst the 151 subjects enrolled, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive subjects was found to be 49.01% with a female preponderance (M: F =1: 1.39). The Metabolic Syndrome Score was 3, 4 and 5 in 52 (70.27%), 14 (18.91%) and 8 (10.81%), respectively in subjects positive for metabolic syndrome. Forty-six (62.16%) of the subjects with metabolic syndrome were in their sixth decade of life. Fifty-four subjects (73%) belonged to the lower socioeconomic strata. Sixty-three (85%) of the subjects were leading a sedentary lifestyle. The most common co-morbidity in these subjects was diabetes mellitus (66.21%, 49 subjects) followed by raised triglyceride levels (63.51%, 47 subjects). When compared with the hypertensive group not suffering from metabolic syndrome, statistical significance was noted with respect to central obesity (p<0.001), increased waist: height ratio (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.001). No significant association was noted with the stage (p=0.163) or duration (p=0.850) of hypertension.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is higher amongst hypertensive patients as compared to the general population. Increased waist: height ratio and BMI are important contributors to the high prevalence of this cardiac risk factor in hypertensive subjects.