Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with lifestyle and cardiovascular biomarkers among postmenopausal women in western Algeria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), its components, and their relationship with lifestyle, inflammation, and oxidative stress among postmenopausal Algerian women.

METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted among postmenopausal women at a clinic in Oran, Algeria, from March 1 to June 28, 2015. A diagnosis of MetS was made using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Demographic, clinical, metabolic, inflammatory, dietary, and energy variables were assessed.

RESULTS: Among 183 participants, 106 (57.9%) were diagnosed with MetS. Components of MetS included hypertension (n=144, 78.7%), hyperglycemia (n=135, 73.8%), hypertriglyceridemia (n=125, 68.3%), abdominal obesity (n=123, 67.2%), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (n=121, 66.1%). Although daily energy expenditure was similar among the women with or without MetS, total energy intake was increased in the group with MetS (P<0.001). The following measures were also increased among women with MetS: saturated fatty acid intake (P<0.001), C-reactive protein (P=0.051), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (P<0.001), and carbonyls (P<0.001). By contrast, decreased monounsaturated fatty acid intake (P=0.024) and catalase activity (P<0.001) were observed in this group.

CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal status could predict MetS, with inflammation and oxidative stress arising from an unhealthy lifestyle potentially increasing cardiovascular risk.