title: Metabolic syndrome is associated with impaired health-related quality of life: Lapinlahti 2005 study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Association of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is poorly documented. Our objective was to examine this association in an adult general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our cross-sectional community-based health survey in a semirural Finnish community, we invited all the adults (n = 760) of eight birth cohorts between 30 and 65 years, of which 480 (63%) participated. A 15-dimensional, standardized HRQoL instrument (15D) was used to measure the main outcome, and the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) 2005 criteria were used for MetS classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MetS was 38%. MetS was significantly associated with impaired HRQoL (P < 0.001) measured by the 15D score. Participants with MetS were statistically significantly worse off than participants without MetS in the dimensions of mobility (P < 0.001), hearing (P = 0.021), breathing (P < 0.001), usual activities (P = 0.001), discomfort and symptoms (P = 0.002), vitality (P = 0.003), and sexual activity (P = 0.008). In a logistic regression analysis, a significant association persisted between MetS and impaired HRQoL (OR = 1.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MetS seems to be associated closely with perceived HRQoL at community level. Therefore, reduction of risk factors of MetS may improve HRQoL.
authors.affiliation: Family Practice Unit, Kuopio University Hospital & University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1777, 70211, Kuopio, Finland. juhani.miettola@uku.fi
authors.forename: Juhani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miettola
authors.forename: Leo K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Niskanen
authors.forename: Heimo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Viinamäki
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sintonen
authors.forename: Esko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kumpusalo