Metabolic syndrome in a family practice population: prevalence and clinical characteristics.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome in a family practice population.

DESIGN Chart abstraction and patient interviews.

SETTING Family Medicine Centre in Kingston, Ont.

PARTICIPANTS Five hundred one men and women between 40 and 60 years old registered at the Family Medicine Centre. Based on the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome recorded on their charts (except for waist circumference), participants were stratified into 3 groups. Group 1 were patients without the syndrome (0 or 1 risk factor). Group 2 were patients who might have the syndrome, depending on subsequent measurement of waist circumference (2 risk factors). Group 3 were patients with metabolic syndrome (3 or more risk factors). Patients in group 2 were invited to attend the clinic for an assessment of waist circumference.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presence of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Third Adult Treatment Panel of the National Institutes of Health, based on waist circumference; blood pressure; and serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and glucose levels.

RESULTS Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this population was 33% (35% among men and 32% among women). Hypertension was the most prevalent component of the syndrome (81.6%). The most common combination of 3 components of the syndrome was central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension (43.7%).

CONCLUSION Metabolic syndrome was prevalent among patients in the family practice studied. One in every 3 patients between 40 and 60 years old met the criteria for the syndrome.