Metabolic syndrome is associated with impaired health-related quality of life: Lapinlahti 2005 study.

Purpose: Association of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is poorly documented. Our objective was to examine this association in an adult general population.

Methods: In our cross-sectional community-based health survey in a semirural Finnish community, we invited all the adults (n = 760) of eight birth cohorts between 30 and 65 years, of which 480 (63%) participated. A 15-dimensional, standardized HRQoL instrument (15D) was used to measure the main outcome, and the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) 2005 criteria were used for MetS classification.

Results: The prevalence of MetS was 38%. MetS was significantly associated with impaired HRQoL (P < 0.001) measured by the 15D score. Participants with MetS were statistically significantly worse off than participants without MetS in the dimensions of mobility (P < 0.001), hearing (P = 0.021), breathing (P < 0.001), usual activities (P = 0.001), discomfort and symptoms (P = 0.002), vitality (P = 0.003), and sexual activity (P = 0.008). In a logistic regression analysis, a significant association persisted between MetS and impaired HRQoL (OR = 1.9).

Conclusions: MetS seems to be associated closely with perceived HRQoL at community level. Therefore, reduction of risk factors of MetS may improve HRQoL.