Clinical Research
Hyperlipidemia and Metabolic Syndrome
Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome and its Relation to Cardiovascular Disease in an Elderly Chinese Population

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Objectives

This study sought to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in elderly Chinese people.

Background

The information available about the prevalence of MetS based on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in China is limited.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in an urban Beijing sample of 2,334 participants age 60 to 95 years (943 men, 1,391 women). The CVD included diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Results

The prevalence of MetS by the NCEP criteria was 30.5% (17.6% in men, 39.2% in women). Use of the new IDF definition significantly increased the prevalence to 46.3% (34.8% in men, 54.1% in women). Odds ratios (OR) for CHD, stroke, PAD, and CVD in those with MetS using the NCEP criteria were 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18 to 1.74), 1.45 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.85), 1.47 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.84), and 1.50 (95% CI 1.25 to 1.81), respectively. Corresponding ORs using new IDF criteria were 1.69 (95% CI 1.40 to 2.02), 1.58 (95% CI 1.26 to 2.00), 1.42 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.76), and 1.73 (95% CI 1.46 to 2.07), respectively. Those who met the IDF but not the NCEP criteria (n = 436, 18.7%) had significantly elevated ORs for CHD (1.66, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.10) and stroke (1.53, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.06).

Conclusions

The MetS is highly prevalent in elderly people in Beijing, particularly among women. Individuals with MetS defined by either criteria are at significantly elevated ORs for CHD, stroke, and PAD. The IDF criteria seem to be better suited than the NCEP criteria for screening and estimating risk of MetS in Chinese people.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CHD
coronary heart disease
CI
confidence interval
CVD
cardiovascular disease
HDL
high-density lipoprotein
IDF
International Diabetes Federation
LDL
low-density lipoprotein
MetS
metabolic syndrome
NCEP ATP III
National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III
OR
odds ratio
PAD
peripheral arterial disease
WHO
World Health Organization

Cited by (0)

This study was supported by research grants from the Main State Basic Research Development Program of China (G2000057006) and the Health Service in the Health Ministry of China (2001-5-006).

a

Dr. Hu is partly supported by the American Heart Association Established Investigator Award.