Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Mediterranean region of Turkey: evaluation of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia.
BACKGROUND
Metabolic syndrome has become a public health challenge worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic syndrome among adults in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.


METHODS
This study included a total of 767 people from 20 to 83 years old from 4 provinces calculated with respect to results of the 2000 census. People from the city centers, districts, and villages were selected by a stratified sampling method. Personal histories were recorded. Weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences were measured. Blood samples were obtained to determine glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides. Components of metabolic syndrome were modified from both Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.


RESULTS
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 34.6% (male, 31.2%; female, 37.3%) (P > 0.05) and 28.8% (male, 23.1%; female, 33.5% (P < 0.01) according to IDF criteria and ATP III, respectively. The highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome was present in subjects aged 60-69 years; in obese people (43.2%, P < 0.001); in Hatay province (36.5%, P < 0.001); and in districts (32.2%, P > 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome criteria in all 4 provinces was as follows: type 2 diabetes mellitus, 15%; hypertension, 41.4%; obesity, 44.1%; abdominal obesity, 56.8%; low HDL-C, 34.1%; hypertriglyceridemia, 35.9%; and high LDL-C, 27.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this region is an important public health problem that may cause an increase in mortality. Urgent preventive measurements should be implemented.
Gündogan
Kürsat
K
Department of Internal Medicine, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Kayseri 38039, Turkey.
Bayram
Fahri
F
Capak
Mehmet
M
Tanriverdi
Fatih
F
Karaman
Ahmet
A
Ozturk
Ahmet
A
Altunbas
Hasan
H
Gökce
Cumali
C
Kalkan
Ali
A
Yazici
Cevad
C
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids