[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Spanish working population: MESYAS registry].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the active Spanish working population and to describe differences related to work type.


METHODS
Data were collected on 7256 individuals [82.4% male; mean age (SD), 45.4 (9.8) years] actively employed in a large car factory and a department store. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to modified ATP-III criteria (using body mass index instead of waist circumference).


RESULTS
Overall, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 10.2%. When data were adjusted to match the age and gender of the general population (age range, 20-60 years), the prevalence was 5.8% (95% CI, 4.1%-7.6%). Moreover, it was significantly higher in men than women, at 8.7% (95% CI, 7.3%-10.0%) vs 3.0% (95% CI, 0.8%-5.1%), respectively. All the components of the metabolic syndrome were significantly more common in males, except a low HDL-cholesterol level. Prevalence increased with age and male gender (OR=1.7), obesity (OR=9.6), hypertension (OR=3.4), and diabetes (OR=15.4). The prevalence was highest in manual workers (11.8%), and lower in office workers (9.3%) and managers (7.7%), which indicates an inverse relationship with social class. The likelihood of presenting with metabolic syndrome, irrespective of age or gender, was highest in manual workers (OR=1.3). This phenomenon seemed to depend on the serum triglyceride level.


CONCLUSIONS
One in ten active workers had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence rose with age, male gender, and blood pressure, and was greatly increased by obesity and diabetes. Manual workers had the highest prevalence, whereas managers had a more favorable profile.
Alegría
Eduardo
E
Departamento de Cardiología, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. ealegria@unav.es
Cordero
Alberto
A
Laclaustra
Martín
M
Grima
Alberto
A
León
Montserrat
M
Casasnovas
José A
JA
Luengo
Emilio
E
del Río
Alfonso
A
Ferreira
Ignacio
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013030:Spain; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides