title: The Maracaibo city metabolic syndrome prevalence study: design and scope.
abstract: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a conglomerate of interrelated risk factors-including obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and insulin resistance-which exponentially increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of MS according to the criteria published by the International Diabetes Federation, in individuals of both sexes over 18 years of age. This is a cross-sectional study based on MS prevalence in a representative sample from the Maracaibo district, Zulia State. The population of Maracaibo, according to the last census in 2001, was 1,219,927 habitants, with a 2007 population estimation of 1,428,043 habitants according to the National Institute of Statistics (NIS). Likewise, NIS projects that for the year 2009, 59.7% of the population of Venezuela will have individuals over 18 years of age. Using these data, the sample for Maracaibo District corresponds to 1986 individuals with or above 18 years of age. The data recollection was conducted by health professionals and medicine students, previously trained. The participants were subject to inquiry previous written consent and a medical examination, and qualitative variables such as smoking habit, socioeconomic status, physical activity, race, alcoholism, and nutritional habits, and quantitative ones like blood pressure, anthropometry, and blood works were determined. There is clear evidence that there is a lack of research and validated values to use as reference in our country and maybe in Latin America. Taking into account all that has been exposed here, this study will serve as a pilot for the numerous statistical determinations that will soon come afterward, providing first-hand accurate evidence on the behavior of the MS in the Latin American populace.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. valmore@gmail.com
authors.forename: Valmore
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bermúdez
authors.forename: Rafael París
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Marcano
authors.forename: Clímaco
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: Nailet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arráiz
authors.forename: Anilsa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amell
authors.forename: Mayela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reyna
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mengual
authors.forename: Lijuzu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Finol
authors.forename: Yettana
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luti
authors.forename: Deysiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Wireynis
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montes
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: José López
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Miranda
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology