Evaluation of metabolic syndrome prevalence in Eskisehir province

Healthy Hearts Project of Eskisehir (ESKAP), which is a cardiovascular risk factors response study planned as three stages, aims to determine the dimension of the problem in semi-rural regions and to provide behavioral change in accordance with healthy heart living discipline. The aim of this paper in which results of completed first stage of the project are presented is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS).
In January 2008 houses in chosen regions were visited and a survey questioning the sociodemographic features and cardiovascular risk factors was carried out. After that people were invited to study centre to perform measurements (blood pressure, weight, height, waist/hip size) and take fasting blood samples (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, glucose). According to Framingham risk scale 10 year CHD risk was grouped as <10% “low”, 10-20% “normal” and >20% “high”. MS was diagnosed in the presence of three or more risk factors according to NCEP ATP III criteria.

The study group was composed of 2,766 people and 1,117 of them were male (40.4%), and 1,649 of them (59.6%) were female. Average age was 42 (min-max: 20-69). Corrected MS prevalence according to age was 20.8%; 13.6% in males, 25.8% in females. The prevalence increased by increasing age in both genders. In multivariable logistic regression model, old age, being woman, sedentary life style, decreased HDL, increased LDL and increased risk according to Framingham risk scale were found as factors affecting MS prevalence.

It was concluded that Metabolic Syndrome is a major problem for Eskisehir province and it is required to make proper life style changes to reduce risk factors.