Metabolic Syndrome in Personnel of Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital and Their Cardiovascular Risks

Abstract

Objectives: To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in personnel of Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital. Cardiovascular risks of those with metabolic syndrome was also evaluated.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study was performed in all personnel who underwent annual health check-up in 2009. Personals aged over 35 were included in this study. Data were collected from history taking, physical examination and laboratory testing. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) criteria. Degree of cardiovascular risk was based on the practice guidelines of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATPIII).

Results: From 826 personnel, 204 were males (24.7%) and 662 were females (75.3%). Their mean age was 47.5 ± 8.0 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31.1% (273/826; 95% confidence interval 31.5-34.6%): 47.1% (96/204) of male and 28.5% (177/622) of female. The cardiovascular risks of these personnel affected with metabolic syndrome were classified as very high risk in 8.0% (21/264), high risk in 35.2% (93/264) and low risk in 56.8% (150/264). When we classified the risk by gender, 13.0% (12/92) of male had very high risk for cardiovascular diseases while 33.7% (31/92), 53.3% (49/92) had high risk, and low risk. The corresponding risks in female were 5.2% (9/172), 36.0 % (62/172), and 58.7 (101/172), respectively. Male had significant higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (p-value < 0001) and significantly more chance of high risk for cardiovascular diseases (p-value = 0.037) than female.

Conclusion: About one-third of personnel aged over 35 years in Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital had metabolic syndrome. However, most of these metabolic syndrome personnel had low cardiovascular risk.