title: [Prevalence of metabolic syndrome estimated with the new World Health Organization recommendations. The HERMEX study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The unification of criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, together with the subsequent World Health Organization (WHO) proposal to eliminate diabetes and cardiovascular diseases from the diagnostic criteria, will change estimates of the known prevalence of this syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a health area of Badajoz (Spain) using the latest consensus criteria and eliminating diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional population-wide study of randomly selected individuals aged between 25 and 79 years old in a health area of Badajoz. In all patients, data on their history of cardiovascular risk factors were gathered, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured and a fasting blood sample was collected. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, following recent criteria, was compared by age and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We recruited 2,833 individuals (46.5% men). The mean age was 51.2 years The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 33.6% and was significantly higher in men (36.7% vs 30.9%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome fell significantly after exclusion of patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease (20.8%; p < 0.001). The difference in prevalence between the distinct criteria was significant for the whole population and by sex (p < 0.000). A significant difference in prevalence between genders was observed from the age of 45-54 years in men and 55-64 years in women
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a health area of Badajoz is among the highest reported in population-based studies in Spain. Although estimates of the prevalence are decreased by the new international recommendations, a considerable proportion of the young population requires preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Don Benito-Villanueva, Programa de Investigación en Enfermedades cardiovasculares, Fundesalud, Gerencia SES Área sanitaria Don Benito-Villanueva, Badajoz, España. polonibo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fernández-Bergés
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Félix-Redondo
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.forename: José F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Pérez-Castán
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cabrera De León
authors.forename: Ana B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morcillo
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tejero
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Palacios
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids