Metabolic syndrome and its clinical correlates among patients attending a tertiary referral hospital in central Kerala, India

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome denotes a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors. This

includes obesity, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. This study was undertaken

to understand the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its clinical correlates

in a tertiary care hospital in central Kerala, India.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out among inpatients. Information was

collected by personal interview, physical examination and by analysing blood

samples. We evaluated the patients for common socioeconomic and disease

factors that may influence the development of metabolic syndrome. Data was

analysed using chi-squared test/Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found to be 38.8% (47.5% among females and 31.1% in males). The

prevelance of metabolic syndrome among diabetic, hypertensive and dyslipidaemia patients was 76.4%, 83.3% and

89.2% respectively. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among subjects with a family history diabetes,

hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Prevalence in people with abdominal obesity was high (42.95%), whilst prevalence

was low in people who reported exercising regularly and amongst more highly educated patients.

Conclusions

Our study records a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than previous studies carried out in India. We

recorded a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women, which contradicts some previous studies carried

out in India. Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and a family history of diabetes may be risk factors for

metabolic syndrome, whilst regular exercise and a higher levels of education may reduce the risk.