Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an urban Indian diabetic population using the NCEP ATP III guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an urban Indian diabetic population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 5088 type 2 diabetes patients (2908 men and 2180 women) presenting to endocrinology clinics at four centers across Mumbai (a large metropolitan city in India) were selected for the study. Anthropometric (waist circumference), clinical (blood pressure) and biochemical (serum triglycerides, HDL, fasting and post-prandial blood glucose) data were recorded. Patients receiving treatment for hypertension or dyslipidemia were also included in the study and these were considered in the diagnosis of MetS even if the parameters were normal. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines were used to diagnose MetS. The chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance, which was taken as a p value < 0.05.

RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS among urban Indian diabetic patients was 77.2% and was significantly higher in women (87.71%) as compared to men (69.33%) (p < 0.0001). The most prevalent risk factors for MetS were hypertension, followed by hypertriglyceridemia, in men, and central obesity, followed by hypertension, min women.

CONCLUSIONS: MetS is highly prevalent in the urban Indian diabetic population. It should be identified by regular screening in individuals from the general population to avert or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes in order to reduce diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.