Dr. Joseph Vimal Rajadoss,
BACKGROUND The prevalence of metabolic syndrome worldwide varies depending on the race and ethnicity. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in India is 33.5% and data regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensives is scarce. This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensives and its association with socioeconomic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 221 patients more than 18 years of age and already diagnosed to have primary systemic hypertension visiting the medical outpatient services in November 2016 were included in the study. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on the modified adult treatment panel (ATP) and International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) guidelines. Staging of hypertension was done using the JNC-6 criteria (blood pressure >140/90). The socio-economic status was obtained using the modified Kuppuswamy scale. Chi-square/Fishers Exact test were used to find association between variables. Predictors were identified using logistic regression ‘Enter’ method. RESULTS Among the study subjects, using the IDF criteria 102(46.2%; 95% CI: 39.6-52.7) and using the ATP criteria 185(83.7%; 95% CI: 78.8-88.6) fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Blood triglyceride is the only predictor of metabolic syndrome (using the ATP criteria) in hypertensives (OR-1.03; p<0.001). BMI (overweight OR=13.79, p<0.001 and obesity OR=28.89, p<0.001)) and waist circumference (OR=1.08; p=0.01) were independent predictors of metabolic syndrome (using IDF criteria) in hypertensives. There was no statistically significant association between socio-economic status and metabolic syndrome in hypertensives using the ATP criteria (p=0.85) and IDF criteria (p=0.26). CONCLUSION The prevalence of metabolic syndrome using the IDF criteria is 46.2% and using the ATP criteria is 83.7%. Blood triglyceride is the only predictor of metabolic syndrome (using the ATP criteria) in hypertensives. BMI (overweight and obesity) and waist circumference are the independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome (using IDF criteria) in hypertensives. There is no association between socio-economic status as measured by the modified Kuppuswamy scale and metabolic syndrome in hypertensives in rural South India.
