[Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in elders: results of the Mataró Ageing study].
OBJECTIVE
The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of factors apparently associated to an increased cardiovascular risk, and with a reported increasing prevalence in parallel with aging process. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of MS in elder subjects according to the criteria of the National Education Program (ATP-III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).


METHODS
Population-based cross-sectional study including 313 individuals (153 men and 160 women) older than 70 years. The prevalence of MS was evaluated according to both definitions and its association with cardiovascular disease (CD) was investigated.


RESULTS
MS was observed in 50.2% of subjects according to ATP-III (41.5% of men and 58.6% of women; p = 0.004) and in 57.9% when using IDF criteria (54.9% of men and 61% of women; p = 0.29). Prevalence differences were observed between ATP-III and IDF only in men. No differences were found in the frequencies of the different components of the MS for the 2 definitions, neither for tobacco consumption, ethanol intake and educational level. There was no differences in the coexistence of CD in relation the presence or absence of MS, no matter the definition used; also, no special association with CD was found for any of the individual components of the MS.


CONCLUSIONS
Among a representative population sample of old people living in a Mediterranean community, despite a very high frequency of MS, there was no excess prevalence of CD in those identified as having MS.
Rueda Alfaro
Sergio
S
Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, España.
Serra-Prat
Mateu
M
Fernández Fernández
Cristián
C
Palomera
Elisabet
E
Puig Domingo
Manuel
M
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D013030:Spain