Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Autoimmune Markers in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study From Türkiye

Identifying undiagnosed cases of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is important because timely recognition may help reduce the risk of associated complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), stroke, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of MetS and obesity levels among patients attending an outpatient clinic.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of Istanbul, Maltepe University Hospital, Türkiye, between January 2018 and December 2019, involving adults between the ages of 18 and 70. Demographic and lifestyle information (age, sex, marital status, education, employment, smoking, and comorbidities) was collected through a structured questionnaire. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure were recorded for all participants. Body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels, extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) profiles, and fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA) levels were assessed. The Turkish Endocrinology and Metabolism Society's criteria were used to diagnose MetS.

Of the 504 study participants, 55.9% (n = 282) were female, with a mean age of 52.2 ± 10.8 years. The overall prevalence of MetS was 32.7% (n = 165), with 32.9% (n = 93) in females and 32.4% (n = 72) in males. Despite similar MetS rates between sexes, lower education and unemployment were associated with higher prevalence. High BMI and a high prevalence of obesity were associated with MetS. Key indicators for MetS diagnosis among participants included weight, height, triglyceride, and HDL levels. The relationship between ENA profiles, FANA levels, and MetS showed significance upon analysis.

In this study, one-third of adults were diagnosed with MetS, with no significant difference in overall prevalence between sexes. Men had lower HDL-C and higher triglycerides, while women showed higher abdominal obesity. In addition, 15.5% of participants were positive for ENA and FANA antibodies despite no clinical autoimmune disease. Socioeconomic disparities, including lower education and unemployment, were also associated with higher MetS prevalence. These findings highlight the importance of integrating both sex-related and socioeconomic factors into targeted screening strategies.