title: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among 40- and 50-year-old inhabitants of Wroclaw, Poland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been discussed for many years, but there is no doubt that those who have confirmed the presence of risk factors comprising the MetS had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MetS among 40- and 50-year-old (y.o.) inhabitants of Wroclaw, Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group included Wroclaw inhabitants who were recruited between 2001-2004 into the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Programme. The study group consisted of 18,583 participants (females: 40 y.o.--5,248 and 50 y.o.--5,329; males: 40 y.o.--4,229 and 50 y.o.--3,777). The MetS was defined by IDF/NHLBI/AHA (2009) criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MetS was found in 12.7% of 40 y.o. and in 33.1% of 50 y.o. females, while in males, respectively, in 30.4% and 42.1%. Overall, MetS occurred in 28.5% of the study group. MetS occurred significantly more frequent among the older than the younger groups, both in females and males. MetS was found significantly more frequent among males than females from Wroclaw, in both 40- and in 50 y.o. participants. Among those females with MetS, the most frequently (more than 90% in both age groups) occurred excessive waist circumference (WC), followed by elevated blood pressure-BP (72.1% of 40 y.o., 86.8% of 50 y.o.). Excessive WC, elevated BP and triglycerides-TG was found in more than 80% of males aged 40 and with diagnosed MetS. Among the older group of males with MetS, the most frequently occurred elevated BP (90.4%), followed by excessive WC (87%) and elevated TG (78.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MetS was diagnosed more frequent in males than females of Wroclaw. Prevalence of MetS increased with age. The most significant impact on reducing the prevalence of MetS in the study group would be the lowering of BP and WC to recommended values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Dietetics, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. rafal.ilow@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ilow
authors.forename: Bożena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Regulska-Ilow
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Różańska
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kowalisko
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biernat
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D049628:Body Size; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014505:Urban Population; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol