Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the adult population living in federal district - Brazil

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex disorder characterized by a number of cardiovascular risk factors usually associated with central fat deposition and insulin resistance. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MS and related risk factors in a representative sample of the adult population living in the Brazilian Capital. Methods: Cross sectional study conducted between November/2006 and October/2007 with 2555 subjects, 18 years of age or older. The International Diabetes Federation Consensus Worldwide Definition of MS criteria was used for the diagnosis. Results: Prevalence of MS was 26.1% (61.6% 35-59 years, BMI 31,4; 95% CI 22.7-40.1 kg/m²). The prevalence of MS among obese people (BMI>30kg/m²) was, in average, 2.5 times higher compared to individuals with overweight (BMI between 25 and 29,9kg/m²). In the global population waist circumference was significantly associated with fasting glucose, triglyceride and HDL-C (rs = 0.38; 0.39 and – 0.24, respectively. p = 0.0001). The risk of MS was significantly lower in man (OR 0.152, CI 0.113-0.205, p < 0.0001) and higher among self-reported hypertensive subjects (OR 1.681, CI 1.279-2.208, p < 0.0002). Increment in one unit of BMI represented increased risk for MS (OR 1.771, CI 1.688-1.858, p < 0.0001) for this population. Conclusions: The prevalence of MS in this population is high, particularly among women, and it is associated with excess weight. Waist was significantly associated with most risk factors for the syndrome, reinforcing the clinical significance of using this measure of obesity to determine health risk in adults.