PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN YOUNG V/S OLD APPARENTLY HEALTHY ASIAN INDIAN GUJARATI POPULATION

Abstract

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an epidemiological construct of different permutations of risk factors. We aimed to compare and study the overall prevalence of MetS in healthy, asymptomatic young v/s old Gujarati population.

Methods: This population based- cross sectional study involved a total of 3329 healthy adults of 18-70 years of age. Clinical data such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP) were measured along with the biochemical estimations of lipids and fasting blood glucose (FBS). The overall population was categorized in young (<40 years) and old (≥40 years) individuals.

Results: The overall prevalence of MetS was 34.3% where the incidence was found to be more than double in old(45.4%) as compared to young population (20.8%, p<0.0001). The level of FBS (99.82 ± 38.49 vs 87.65 ± 19.82), HDL-C (38.94 ± 7.35 vs 37 ± 6.42) and LDL-C (129.45 ± 33.88 vs 117.39 ± 30.38) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in older population as compared to younger population. In both the age groups the prevalence of MetS was higher in males as compared to females and was majorly contributed by increased FBS level. However in old (95.6% vs 84.2) and young (84% vs 96%) females, the abnormalities of WC were significantly higher than their male counterparts.

Conclusion: In summary we conclude that MetS is prevalent in Gujarati population and is subjected to age and gender. This results reinforces the need of early life style intervention and awareness programs in this ethnic group.