title: [The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged in Kaunas population].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among middle-aged Kaunas population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 433 (192 males and 241 females, mean age 38.8+/-0.3 years) asymptomatic individuals have been investigated. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation definition criteria - central obesity (the waist circumference > or =94 cm for men and > or =80 cm for women) plus any two of the following four factors: elevated triglycerides (Tg) (> or =1.7 mmol/L), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (<1.0 mmol/L for men and <1.3 mmol/L for women), blood pressure (BP) of 130/85 or higher (systolic pressure >130 mmHg or a diastolic pressure >85 mmHg) or hyperglycemia (> or =5.6 mmol/L).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The metabolic syndrome was present in 21.7% (28.1% among males and 16.6% among females) of individuals. Furthermore, 41.1% had an increased waist circumference, 56.4% had elevated BP (130/85 or higher), 31.2% had elevated plasma glucose concentration, 19.9% had low HDL-C cholesterol values and 14.1% had increased Tg values. Significantly higher concentration (1.16 mg/L, alpha<0,001, beta<0.001) of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein has been established in individuals with the metabolic syndrome. An increased concentration (>3 mg/L) of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was more prevalent (17.3%) in the cohort with metabolic syndrome. Concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein directly correlated with the waist and hips circumference, body mass index, concentration of Tg, glucose and BP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among middle-aged Kaunas residents was 22%. Metabolic syndrome and central obesity correlated with elevated concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Moderately (1-3 mg/L) and severely (>3 mg/L) elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels increase the chance of metabolic syndrome by 4.15 and 7.39 times, respectively (p=0,000). An innovative approach towards cardiovascular risk assessment integrating traditional cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein values could improve the risk stratification in asymptomatic middle-aged population.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. olivija.gustiene@gmail.com
authors.forename: Olivija
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gustiene
authors.forename: Rimvydas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slapikas
authors.forename: Jūrate
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klumbiene
authors.forename: Giedre
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sakalauskiene
authors.forename: Raimondas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kubilius
authors.forename: Sigita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bagdzeviciūte
authors.forename: Remigijus
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zaliūnas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein