Prevalence of metabolic syndrome crossing 40% in Northern India: Time to act fast before it runs out of proportions.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Its presence makes the patient more prone for cardiovascular events. Its prevalence has been documented as 11%-41%. The present study was undertaken to find out the demographic profile of the MetS in Kanpur region of northern India.

Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based, cross-sectional study with adequate sample size.

Results: Out of the randomly selected 420 patients (232 males and 188 females), 172 cases (61 males and 111 females) were found to have MeTS adopting the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The overall prevalence of MeTS was found to be 40.9% (26.2% of total males and 59% of total females). Among the 172 cases of MeTS, females were more than males (64.5% vs. 35.4%). Maximum numbers of MeTS cases were in the age range of 50-59 years (55/172 = 31.9%) followed by 40-49 years (50/172 = 29%), >60 years (35/172 = 20.3%), 30-39 years (30/172 = 17.4%), and <30 years (2/172 = 1.1%). In the total study population of 420 cases, hyperglycemia was the most common (29.2%) and hyperglycemia, obesity, and high triglyceride were significantly higher prevalence in females. Among the participants of 111 cases of MeTS, hyperglycemia was the most common (71.5%) and high blood pressure, and low high density lipoprotein was significantly higher among males.

Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS was more than 40% and its prevalence in <40 years age group is rapidly increasing. Its high time to be more active physically, before fatal cardiovascular events.