Hyperuricaemia is an independent factor for the metabolic syndrome in a sub-Saharan African population: a factor analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk factor pattern of the metabolic syndrome and its association with insulin resistance and hyperuricaemia in a sub-Saharan African population with different levels of urbanisation.


METHODS
Four hundred forty-eight black South African volunteers, men and women aged 15 years and older were investigated in a cross-sectional, comparative, population-based survey. Subjects were stratified into three groups representing different levels of urbanisation in rural and urban areas. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to IDF criteria. Factor analysis was used to examine the risk factor pattern of the metabolic syndrome.


RESULTS
The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was low and did not differ across the three groups. Factor analysis showed slight differences in the metabolic syndrome pattern between the groups. Hyperuricaemia-hypertriglyceridaemia was identified as distinct component in the rural and semiurban group whereas hyperinsulinaemia was loaded together with other risk factors. In the entire study population, five factors could be identified in the following sequence: obesity, hypertension, hyperuricaemia-hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia. Subjects with hyperuricaemia but not with insulin resistance exhibited an increased risk to develop the metabolic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperuricaemia was revealed as additional component of the metabolic syndrome in sub-Saharan Africans and should be given more attention in prevention settings.
Reimann
Manja
M
School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. manja.reimann@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Schutte
Aletta E
AE
Malan
Leoné
L
Huisman
Hugo W
HW
Malan
Nicolaas T
NT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013383:Suburban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*