title: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in different ethnic groups in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in various ethnic groups in Istanbul, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study participants were aged ≥ 20 years. Risk factor components for metabolic syndrome were measured and its presence was determined in study participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 254 Greeks, 273 West Thracians, 275 East Turkistanis and 304 Armenians. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly different between groups (Greeks, 19.3%; West Thracians, 24.9%; East Turkistanis, 15.3%; Armenians, 20.4%), and increased with age in all groups. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found mainly in Greeks (females, 64.5%; males, 61.6%) and West Thracians (females, 75.8%; males, 73.1%). Among East Turkistanis, HDL-C and triglyceride levels were significantly higher compared with the other ethnic groups. Hypertension was the most frequently encountered component of metabolic syndrome in East Turkistanis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varied between ethnic groups living in the same geographical location. In Turkey, metabolic syndrome is common. It is important to determine differences between ethnic groups, as this will assist in identifying those at higher risk of developing coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Baki
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumbasar
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yenigun
authors.forename: Hayriye Esra
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ataoglu
authors.forename: Fuat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sar
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Serez
authors.forename: Tunga
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turker
authors.forename: Sebnem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tamay
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kutlu
authors.forename: Cemal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seven
authors.forename: Samet Serkan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ebil
authors.forename: Levent Umit
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Temiz
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ergen
authors.forename: Ozlem Harmankaya
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Kaptanogullari
authors.forename: Rumayza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kazancioglu
mesh_terms: D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology