Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors among bank employees in iran: a cross-sectional study

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are growing occupational health concerns, particularly among sedentary and high-stress professions. This study investigates the prevalence of MetS and related cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian bank employees.

This cross-sectional study included 1,661 bank employees in Tehran, enrolled between January and March 2023. Participants completed physician interviews, provided fasting blood samples, and underwent clinical assessments. Demographic and occupational data, smoking status, blood pressure, and biochemical markers were collected. MetS was defined using ATP III criteria, and 10-year ASCVD risk was calculated using the 2019 ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equations. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 27.

Among participants, the mean age was 43.4 (5.9) years, and a body mass index of 27.3 (4) kg/m² (73.5% men; 91.8% non-smokers) were included. The prevalence of MetS was 26.2% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 24.1-28.3), with low HDL cholesterol as the most frequent component. Compared to operational staff, management employees had significantly higher odds of key MetS components, including high blood pressure (52.7% vs. 44.1%; OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.16-1.71; P = 0.001), elevated triglycerides (33.4% vs. 26.2%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.14-1.75; P = 0.002), elevated FBS (10.9% vs. 5.5%; OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.45-3.01; P < 0.001), low HDL (82.3% vs. 70.4%; OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.54-2.49; P < 0.001), and abdominal obesity (26.9% vs. 18.5%; OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.28-2.05; P < 0.001). Older age (adjusted OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05; P < 0.001) and managerial roles (adjusted OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56-0.91; P < 0.001) were significant determinants of MetS. The median ASCVD risk score was higher in men than women (2.2 [IQR: 1.4-3.7] vs. 0.6 [0.4-0.9]; P < 0.001) and in management staff compared to operational staff (2.2 [1.3-3.7] vs. 0.3 [0.7-2.4]; P < 0.001). Age (adjusted OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.14-1.20; P < 0.001) and management position (adjusted OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.70-2.95; P < 0.001) were independently associated with increased ASCVD risk.

MetS is prevalent among Iranian bank employees, with older age, male sex, and managerial positions identified as significant associated factors. These findings underscore the need for targeted workplace health interventions and further research to evaluate cardiometabolic risk across occupational settings.