Predictors of metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling older adults

The metabolic syndrome has been associated with a variety of individual variables, including demographics, lifestyle, clinical measures and physical performance. We aimed to identify independent predictors of the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome in a large cohort of older adults.

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam is a prospective cohort including community-dwelling adults aged 55-85 years. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. The incidence of metabolic syndrome was calculated over a period of three years. Stepwise backward logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors, including variables for demographics, lifestyle, clinical measures and physical performance, both in a cross-sectional cohort (n = 1292) and a longitudinal sub-cohort (n = 218).

Prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome were 37% (n = 479) and 30% (n = 66), respectively. Cross-sectionally, heart disease (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.37-2.65), peripheral artery disease (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.32-3.42), diabetes (OR: 4.74, 95% CI: 2.65-8.48), cerebrovascular accident (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.09-3.37), and a higher Body Mass Index (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.26-1.38) were significant independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. Longitudinally, Body Mass Index (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.27) was an independent predictor of metabolic syndrome.

Four age related diseases and a higher Body Mass Index were the only predictors of metabolic syndrome in the cross-sectional cohort, despite the large variety of variables included in the multivariable analysis. In the longitudinal sub-cohort, a higher Body Mass Index was predictive of developing metabolic syndrome.