PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of risk factors which increase the likelihood and rate of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MetS is on the rise in Pakistan (disease exacerbating factors of urbanization, dietary imbalance and sedentary existence). Objective: To estimate the frequency and clinical profile of Metabolic Syndrome (MBS) in adult patients attending a teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Indus Medical College, TM khan. One hundred adult patients, aged ≥ 18 years were recruited. MetS was defined according to NCEP ATP III guidelines. Analyses were performed in SPSS. Results: The prevalence of MetS in the participants was 47 %. Fifty-eight point three per cent of the study cohort were female, and 41.7% male. Central obesity (85.1%), hypertension (74.5%), and raised fasting blood glucose level (70.2%) were the most common physical examination findings observed. Older age, BMI > 25 and inactivity were significantly associated with MetS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: About one half of hospital patient with MetS are adult and the commonest components were abdominal obesity followed by hypertension. Public health interventions to promote lifestyle modification and early screening are now a necessity to halt the increasing burden of MetS in Pakistan. Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Overweight Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes