Prevalence and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome for at-risk people in a rural community.

Background: Substantial socioeconomic and demographic changes have resulted in an increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome in Korea, especially in aged, postmenopausal women and in rural populations. As rural populations age, metabolic syndrome is expected to be a significant health problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome for an at-risk population in a rural community health-care center.

Methods: Data were collected from 136 people who were defined as being at risk for metabolic syndrome by being over 40 years of age and being treated for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or central obesity at a rural community health-care center in Korea. Prevalence and clinical characteristics were evaluated by the diagnostic guidelines of National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and World Health Organization Asia-Pacific (WHO-AP).

Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among this group was 64.7% and 74.3% according to the NCEP-ATP III and WHO-AP criteria, respectively. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased with age and was higher in women. Of the five risk factors, fasting blood sugar and central obesity in women were the most prevalent (81.6%), followed by systolic hypertension (80.1%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome for at-risk people was high in the rural Korean health-care center used in this study. Population-wide management strategies are apparently needed.