[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the province of Albacete (Spain)].
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in people between 40-70 years of age in the province of Albacete (Spain).


METHODS
A population-based, cross-sectional study was made of people between 40-70 years of age in three representative municipalities of the province of Albacete. A total of 425 subjects were included, with a mean age of 53.1 years (95% CI: 52.3-54). Women represented 50.4% of the series and males 49.6%. All participants were subjected to general laboratory testing, physical examination and the measurement of anthropometric parameters. MS was defined according to the ATP-III criteria. Prevalence of MS and its distribution according to the different epidemiological characteristics were calculated.


RESULTS
Total prevalence of MS was 20.9% (88/421), with a mean age of 57 years (95% CI: 55.1-59). Prevalence was seen to increase with age, reaching up to one-third of all subjects over 60 years. Significant differences were observed in relationship to a background of ischemic heart disease, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein elevation and the detection of microalbuninuria in MS subjects. Arterial hypertension and abdominal obesity were the most prevalent criteria in MS subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Taking into consideration the important co-morbidity of MS, knowledge of the prevalence and characteristics of the syndrome in our setting and its early identification and intervention targeted to the different factors underlying MS will contribute to reduce the number of cardiovascular events associated with the syndrome.
Calbo Mayo
J M
JM
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain. juanmcalbo@ono.com
Terrancle de Juan
I
I
Fernández Jiménez
P
P
Rodríguez Martín
M J
MJ
Martínez Díaz
V
V
Santisteban López
Y
Y
Navarro Martínez
A
A
Sáez Méndez
L
L
Gómez Garrido
J
J
Moreno Salcedo
J
J
Vera Hernández
J
J
Fuster Lluch
O
O
Beato
J L
JL
Bleda
J M
JM
Solera Santos
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology