Metabolic syndrome, associated factors and optimal waist circumference cut points: findings from a cross-sectional community-based study in the elderly population in Asmara, Eritrea

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), associated factors, and optimal waist circumference (WC) cut points in a subset of the elderly population in Asmara, Eritrea.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study conducted between January and June 2018.SettingAsmara, Eritrea.ParticipantsDemographic, clinical biochemistry and anthropometric information were collected from a total of 319 elderly participants of African lineage (54.5% men vs 45.5% women).Main outcome measuresLipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), anthropometric data, clinical profiles and demographic characteristic of patients were described. MetSyn was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation harmonised criteria.ResultsThe median age (IQR) of study participants was 67 (IQR: 63–72 years)—men 68 (IQR: 64–74) years versus women 65 (IQR: 62–70) years, p=0.002. The prevalence of MetSyn was 90 (28.4%). Abnormal values in MetSyn components were as follows: systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg or use of hypertension medication 133 (41.7%); overweight/obesity, 55 (25.1%); abdominal obesity 129 (40.4); low-density lipoproptein cholesterol (LDL-C) >130 mg/dL, 139 (43.6%); total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, 152 (47.6%); non-high-density lipoproptein cholesterol (HDL-C)>130 mg/dL, 220 (69.0%) and FPG (≥100–125 mg/dL), 35 (12.7%) and FPG>125.17 (6.2%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that sex (females) (adjusted OR (aOR) 4.69, 95% CI 2.47 to 8.92); non-HDL-C (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.14); LDL-C >130 mg/dL (aOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.09 to 6.37) and body mass index (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.32) were independently associated with the presence of MetSyn. Optimal cut points for WC in men yielded a value of 85.50 cm, a sensitivity of 76.0%, a specificity of 61.0% and an area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) value of 74.0, 95% CI (65.7 to 82.4). For women, the WC at a cut point value of 80.50 cm yielded the highest Youden index (0.41) with a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 39%, and an AUROC of 73.4, 95% CI (64.8 to 82.5).ConclusionsThe MetSyn is highly prevalent in a subset of apparently healthy elderly population in Asmara, Eritrea. The findings support opportunistic and/or programmatic screening for CVD risk in the elderly during outpatient visits.

Comparison of metabolic syndrome prevalence using three different definitions: A population-based study in Peru

“…The age ranges from thirty to fifty-nine exhibited a greater existence of MetS compared to the cluster from eighteen to twenty-nine, suggesting that the threat of MetS increases with age. This consequence agrees with previous reports showing the occurrence of MetS and the tendency to rise as time passes (23) .…”

“…According to the ATPIII definition, males have a lower prevalence of MetS versus females, while according to the IDF and WHO definitions, males have a higher prevalence. The study’s discovery that being female independently connected to the existence of MetS, with a modified odds ratio of 4.69 (23) , aligns with a recent investigation performed in Asmara, Eritrea, which also deduced a comparable relationship between the female sex and MetS using a parallel analysis. Nonetheless, given that the study was conducted exclusively among elderly individuals, it is imperative to underscore how the population’s advanced age could potentially impact the disparity seen in rates of MetS between genders addressed in the article.…”

“…This consequence agrees with previous reports showing the occurrence of MetS and the tendency to rise as time passes (23) .…”

The Metabolic Triad: Trends and Determinants of the Isolated and Combined Presence of Hypertension, Obesity, and Diabetes in Peru

“…Secondly, the joint existence of these conditions could represent an oblique manifestation of metabolic syndrome, which constitutes a grouping of cardiovascular risk determinants such as insulin resistance and endothelial impairment. While the growing frequency of these disease combinations could signify an emerging rise in the frequency of metabolic syndrome itself, research from the past few years shows higher rates of co-occurrence for the disorders involved (24,25) .…”