Metabolic Syndrome; Are Our Women at Risk to Develop. A Study at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a congregation of central obesity, dyslipidemia, raised blood sugar levels, increasing the individual's susceptibility to Type II Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: (1) To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in young, urban, female population. (2) To determine the risk factors in poor, urban, female population. Study Design: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: The department of Gynae/ Obst Unit II KMDC/Abbasi Shaheed hospital. Period: One year starting from January 2016 to December 2016. Material and Method: Approval was taken from ESRC of KMDC. All healthy asymptomatic married/single women between 18-49 years of age were included while women <18 or >50 years of age, diabetic, hypertensive or having bleeding disorders were excluded from study. Laboratory data included blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, collected by phlebotomist from the participants in fasting state through venipuncture. A Chi-square test was applied to evaluate the association of demographic group variables and metabolic syndrome. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. There was no conflict of interest. Result: A total of 343 participants were recruited. The socio and demographic data is summarized in Table-I. The prevalence of Metabolic syndrome was found to be high. 227(66.2%) of participants were having Metabolic syndrome according to NCEP ATP III criteria. 63(18.4 %) had history of PIH while 52(15.2%) had family history of hypertension and 126(36.7 %) had family history of both Hypertension and Diabetes. 232 (67.6 %) of women had sedentary life style and only 3(0.9%) practiced aerobic exercises. 287(83.7%) had their waist circumference of >80cm, the mean systolic blood pressure was 127.5 +-23.76 while the mean diastolic blood pressure was 86.99+-57.36. The mean of BMI was at higher level 30.97+-6.41. Obesity is the most common risk factor for Metabolic syndrome. The mean of fasting blood sugar was 105.08+-42.16 which was on higher side. The mean of Triglycerides 142.43+-61.12 and HDL 39.04+-12.45 were within normal limits. Increased prevalence was observed in women who had PIH during pregnancy and childbirth 25.1% v 5.2%(p value=0.001). Conclusion: Prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome is a big challenge. Lifestyle interventions should begin from the early childhood to reduce weight and to prevent development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.