The Shipai cohort for cardiovascular metabolic risk factors and outcome study - Design and preliminary results

The aim of this study was to identify genotypic and phenotypic cardiovascular metabolic risk factors, and to establish risk models of diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney dysfunction and psychiatric disorders, in Taiwanese adults.

In 2009, a community-based cohort study was initiated in the Shipai area of the Shilin and Beitou districts in Taipei. Residents were randomly sampled by age (young adults: 35-44 years and middle-aged adults: 45-55 years) and urbanization (rural and urban). Residents who agreed to participate were scheduled to receive examinations (physical and blood) and answer questionnaires. A ten-year follow-up is anticipated. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined based on the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, and individuals with only one or two of the five MetS components was identified for prevention target.

The response rate of the 9000 invited residents was 10.1%. After screening, 906 participants were enrolled. While 31.0% (281) had no MetS components, 29.1% (264) had only one, and 22.0% (199) had two. MetS with at least three components was diagnosed in 17.9% (162) of the cohort. Concerning gender difference, 25.4% of men and 13.2% of women had MetS (p < 0.001). The percentage of MetS was higher in middle-aged participants than in young adults (20.5% versus 13.4%, p = 0.008). Forty-six percent of participants had central obesity. After adjusting for gender, age, and urbanization, the central obesity odds ratio for MetS was 23.7, with a 95% confidence internal of 13.1-42.7.

Our preliminary results revealed a high MetS percentage among young and middle-aged adults in Taiwan, with central obesity being a particularly urgent prevention target. The research design and operational protocol of this cohort study may stimulate more research in the future.