A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING LIPID PROFILE ESTIMATION AS THE PART OF INITIAL EVALUATION OF HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS BEFORE STARTING HAART

BACKGROUND:-There is evidence that ART is associated with lipodystrophy syndrome, a disturbance of lipid metabolism characterised by insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and fat maldistribution, metabolic bone disease (osteopenia and/or osteoporosis), and lactic acidosis. ART- associated dyslipidaemia is characterized by elevated serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein 2(LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and Apo lipoprotein B (apoB) and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) constituting an atherogenic lipid 1pro?le . In this study 143 young patients who were attending the Antiretroviral Therapy Plus MATERIAL AND METHODS:- Centre & Medicine Wards, ACSR GMC NELLORE were included randomly. 5ml Sample preparation and Biochemical assay :- of venous blood sample was collected by venipuncture from 12 hours overnight fast and centrifuged at 3000 cycles per minute and serum was separated for lipid pro?le measurement within one hour of blood collection. The serum levels of TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL and TG were measured using AU480 BECKMANS random access fully automated auto analyzer at Biochemistry laboratory, ACSR GMC, NELLORE. TC, LDL and TC/HDL lipid pro?les are signi?cant. F-Signi?cant values are RESULTS;- <0.05, reject null hypothesis. It means that the difference among the lipid pro?les of TC, LDL and TC/HDL in the study group is statistically signi?cant with respect to regimen groups. HDL, TG and VLDL lipid pro?les are not signi?cant. F-Signi?cant values are >0.05, no evidence to reject null hypothesis. It means that the no signi?cant difference among the lipid pro?les of HDL, TG, and VLDL in the study group is not statistically signi?cant with respect to regimen groups. Signi?cant CONCLUSIONS:- metabolic and morphological alterations occur in HIV infected patients especially in patients on HAART. The patients on HAART had an elevated Castelli Index I, indicating an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in this population. There is need to assess lipid pro?les at baseline before initiation of HAART treatment and lipid pro?le monitoring during therapy to monitor any rising trends. New medications with more lipid friendly pro?les within existing drugs such as darunavir (PI), etravirine (NNRTI), new classes of drugs such as integrase inhibitors (raltegravir) and CCR5 inhibitors (maraviroc) can be used to avoid dyslipidaemia

To Study the Association of Cerebrovascular Disease with Metabolic Syndrome in Western Uttar Pradesh

Objective: To Study the association of cerebrovascular disease with metabolic syndrome. Methods: A Total 104 patients were included in this study & investigated for cerebrovascular disease associated with metabolic syndrome or not. A study of presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in cerebrovascular disease was done. P value was calculated by using analysis of variance test (ANOVA) & P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Total 104 patients were included in this study in 72 patients (69.23%) were suffering from metabolic syndrome and 32 patient (30.77%) were not suffering from metabolic syndrome. Most of the patients suffering from cerebrovascular disease associated with metabolic syndrome were of older age groups (61.11%)>61 years. Second most common group was (22.22%) 51-60 years. Other patients of cerebrovascular disease not suffering from metabolic syndrome (56.25%) in 51-60 years followed by (31.25%) in 41-50 years. Amongst the patients suffering from cerebrovascular accident and metabolic syndrome males outnumbered females, although this data is not statistically significant p=0.4. Among the Cerebrovascular accident patient group prevalence was highest therefore raised fasting blood sugar (n=58) (80.55%) and low HDL values (75.2%), whereas it was highest for Hypertension (88.89%). In the cerebrovascular accident group out of total 104 patients 72%(n=72) were suffering from metabolic syndrome and 30.77%(n=32) were not suffering from metabolic syndrome there is positive correlation between metabolic syndrome and cerebrovascular accident .Using Test for equality for proportion (zscore) this data is found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: In cerebrovascular accident group (total patients =104) 67.5%(n=108) were having 3 risk factors, 50%(n=80) were having 4 risk factors and 11.25%(n=18) were having 5 risk factors of metabolic syndrome among the cases .Among the patients suffering from cerebrovascular accident (total patients =104) the prevalence of hypertension was 88.89%(n=64),of low HDL was 75.2%(n=54),of high TGs was 80.55%(n=58),of raised waist circumference was 58.32%(n=42) and of increased fasting blood sugar was 80.55%(n=58) in the case group.

Metabolic syndrome and its socio demographic and behavioral correlates: a cross sectional study among adult patients attending medicine outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital, West Bengal

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a pre-condition for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which are major contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide.Methods: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted to estimate the proportion of MS and to explore crucial risk factors for MS among adult patients attending medicine OPD in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal. The estimated final sample size was 315. Baseline socio demographic information and information on risk factors for MS, such as dietary habit, physical activity status, substance use, intake of related drugs, and presence of co-morbidities were collected by interviewing the patients with the help of a predesigned, pretested, structured schedule. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, waist circumference recordings were taken, and blood pressure was measured.Results: About 64% of the final study population (210/330) suffered from MS. On bivariate analysis, significant association between female gender (df=1, Pearson chi-square=5.06, p=0.024), weekly frequency of consumption of junk foods (df=3, Pearson chi-square=10.40, p=0.015) and obesity according to BMI (independent samples Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.010) at 5% level of significance were observed. Performing binary logistic regression analysis, obesity according to BMI (AOR=1.388, 95% CI=1.064-1.810) was found to be significant.Conclusions: Majority of the population suffered from MS who were mostly female, obese and consumers of junk foods. Appropriate interventional measures in terms of life style modification both at community and at tertiary care level are the need of the hour.

Prevalence Of Dyslipidemia Among Master Health Check-Up Beneficiaries In A Rural Tertiary Care Hospital

Dyslipidemia is one of the major cause and risk factor for the development and progression of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), many epidemiological study shows dyslipidemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries like India, Bangladesh , Pakistan and Nepal . Most of the studies have revealed the prevalence of dyslipidemia mostly in general population. The present study attempted to find out the prevalence of dyslipidemia among master health checkup beneficiaries who attended the master health checkup unit of our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia among master health check-up beneficiaries by retrospective analysis of data from Master health check-up department of IRT- Perundurai Medical College and Hospital, Perundurai, Tamilnadu. RESULT: Among the study subjects, Overall 65.4% were found to have Dyslipidemia which was determined by considering all four lipid parameters (Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDLand Triglycerides) into consideration. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of dyslipidemia among the study population undergone master health checkup is 65.4%, comparative to study done by Karna.S.K et al(57.7% ) among individuals attending preventive health checkup in rural tertiary care hospital. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia in our study is alarming and it highlights the extensive need for screening programs and appropriate intervention programs to reduce the risk factors

Metabolic syndrome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is considered as a systemic disease due to associated systemic inflammation which can manifest as metabolic syndrome or its component illnesses. This study was undertaken to determine the proportion of metabolic syndrome in patients with COPD.Methods: 51 patients with COPD were compared with equal number of age and gender matched controls. GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria were used for diagnosing COPD. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) was diagnosed based on modified NCEP:ATP III criteria (National cholesterol education Program Adult Treatment Panel III). Subjects were evaluated for hypertension, WC, FBS, and serum triglycerides and serum HDL (High-density lipoprotein) to diagnose MS.Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 16 (31.4%) patients with COPD and in 8 (15.7%) controls. The proportion of individual parameters of MS in cases and controls was as follows: DM in 19 (37.3%) cases and 13 (25.5%) controls, hypertension in 21(41.2%) cases and 9 (17.6%) controls, low serum HDL in 31 (60.7%) cases and 22 (43.1%) controls increased WC in 14 (27.5%) cases and 7 (13.7%) controls and elevated serum TG in 12 (23.5%) cases and an equal number of controls.Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome and its parameters are more prevalent in COPD patients. Early detection and treatment of MS in COPD patients can prevent development of complications due to the combined effects of both diseases

Coincidencias y divergencias en las prevalencias del síndrome metabólico según idf y atp III en adultos de caracas / Coincidence and divergence in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome by idf and atp III in adults from caracas

El objetivo del trabajo fue conocer y comparar las prevalencias del Síndrome Metabólico (SM) según los criterios del National Cholesterol Education Program´s Adult Treatment Panel III Report (ATP III) y los de la Federación Internacional de Diabetes (IDF) en adultos. Estudio descriptivo, corte transversal que incluyó a 183 adultos (63 hombres y 120 mujeres), con edades entre 20 y 60 años, de la Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas - Venezuela. Se midió peso, talla y circunferencia de cintura punto medio. Se calculó la prevalencia del SM según criterios del ATP III e IDF. Los datos se analizaron, utilizando el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 19. Se calcularon el promedio y la desviación estándar de las variables, para el grupo total y por sexo. Para las diferencias entre género se utilizó la prueba “t” de Student. En las coincidencias y divergencias de las prevalencias del SM por ambos criterios se aplicó el índice de Kappa (p<0,001). Se observó prevalencia de SM entre 13 a 16 % (ATPIII e IDF respectivamente) del grupo total. Por sexo, los hombres obtuvieron una mayor prevalencia (22,2 %ATP III y 27,0% IDF) con respecto a las mujeres (9,2% ATP III y 11,7% IDF) p< 0.001. Existe una alta coincidencia entre ambos métodos (p< 0,001) valores de kappa 0,7 para grupo total. Aun cuando hubo alta coincidencia entre criterios del SM, son necesarios los puntos de cortes para la circunferencia de cintura, para identificar el valor más sensible y específico para el diagnóstico del SM en la población Venezolana(AU)

The objective of the study was to determine and compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Report (ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in adults. A descriptive, cross-sectional included 183 adults (63 men and 120 women), aged between 20 and 60, from Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas - Venezuela. Weight, height and waist circumference midpoint were measured. Prevalence of MS according to ATP III criteria and IDF were calculated. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 19. Mean and standard deviation of the variables for the total group and by gender were calculated. A “t” Student was applied to establish differences by gender. On the similarities and differences in the prevalence of MS by both criteria was applied a Kappa test (p <0.001). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was between 13-16% (ATP III and IDF respectively) in the total group. By sex, males obtained a higher prevalence (22.2% ATP III and IDF 27.0%) compared to females (9.2% ATP III and IDF 11.7%) p <0.001. There is a high agreement between the two methods (p <0.001) K =0.7 for the total group. Even was found a high agreement between MS criteria, further study of waist circumference cut-off points, to identify the most sensitive and specific value for diagnosis of MS in Venezuelan population(AU)

The Metabolic Syndrome: Comparison of Newly Proposed IDF, Modified ATP III and WHO Criteria and their Agreements.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) results from clustering of cardiovascular risk factors occurring in association with insulin resistance and obesity. With the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, MS is of keen interest in research. The disorder is defined in various ways, but one consolidated definition is needed to make studies comparable worldwide. The study was to determine the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Bangladesh and comparison of newly proposed definition of International Diabetes Federation (IDF), modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and their agreements. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional hospital based study. We randomly selected 229 participants. After obtaining informed written consent data collectors collected data by interview, clinical examination, anthropometric measurement and investigations. We calculated independent sample t-test means between to distinguish which risk factors were present in participants with and without MS, using SPSS v17. Results: The percentage of risk factors of MS among subjects according to different criteria was 72% of Modified ATP-III, 69% of IDF and 39% of WHO definition .In Modified NCEP ATP III when did independent sample t-test mean of BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, high density lipoprotein and triglyceride were present statistically significant difference between without MS and with MS (p<0.05). According to WHO criteria BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose were statistically significant (p<0.05) and similarly fasting blood glucose & triglyceride were statistically significant difference between without MS and with MS (p<0.05) according to IDF criteria.ATP III and WHO criteria showed good agreement (k 0.56) compared to ATP III with IDF (k 0.31) and WHO with IDF (k 0.11) criteria. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in Bangladesh. We detected the highest proportion of participants with MS using the ATP III definition, which emphasizes the predominant focus on the modified waist circumference for Asian participants. However, MS prevalence following WHO criteria in those with impaired glucose regulation is comparable with ATP III definition. Follow up study needed to examine the significance of MS following all definitions for the assessment of risk for diabetes and or cardiovascular disease.

Metabolic syndrome in adult population of rural Wardha, central India.

Background & Objectives: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high among Asians including Indians. Scarce information is available about the magnitude of metabolic syndrome in rural areas and hence present study in rural area of Wardha district, central India. Methods: In 300 randomly selected subjects, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were noted. Blood sample was collected after overnight fasting and was subjected to biochemical quantification such as fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, VLDL-C and LDL-C. Data were analyzed using ATP-III definition as well as by modifying the waist circumference cut-offs as per Asia-Pacific guidelines. Results: Overall metabolic syndrome as per ATP-III criteria was observed in 5.0 per cent adult rural population. When ATP-III criteria were modified using waist circumference cut-offs recommended by Asia-Pacific guidelines, metabolic syndrome was seen in 9.3 per cent. It was 10.7 per cent among females and 8.2 per cent among males. Receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to find out the best cut-off of BMI to identify the individuals with metabolic syndrome. The best cut-off for BMI came out to be 23.32 kg/m2. Interpretation & conclusions: The magnitude of metabolic syndrome was low among rural adults of Wardha as compared to reported values in urban areas. BMI of 23.32 kg/m2 and higher was found to predict significant risk of metabolic syndrome in these study subjects. However, studies with larger sample need to be conducted to confirm these findings.

Applicability of the National Cholesterol Education Program III (NCEP-III) Guidelines for treatment of dyslipidemia in a non-Caucasian population: A Mexican Nation-Wide Survey / Aplicabilidad del III Programa Nacional de Educación en Colesterol (NCEP-III). Guías para el tratamiento de la dislipidemia en una población no caucásica: Un estudio en toda la nación mexicana

We assessed the impact of the NCEP-III recommendations in a population-based, nation-wide Mexican survey. Information was obtained from 15,607 subjects aged 20 to 69 years. In this report, only samples obtained after a 9 to 12 hours fast are included (2,201 cases). A cardiovascular risk equivalent was found in 10.5% and > 2 risk factors were present in 41.7% of the population. In 10% of cases, the LDL-C concentration was high enough to be an indication for a lipid-lowering drug (> 160 mg/dL), independent of the presence of risk factors. A quarter of the population was eligible for some form of treatment (lifestyle modifications in 15.9%, drug therapy in an additional 11.7%). Among cases with > 2 risk factors, a small percentage (1.8%) were identified as having a 10 year-risk > 20% and 86.3% were considered as having alO year-risk < 10%. The majority of the metabolic syndrome cases (84%) were identified as low-risk subjects. As a result, only 17.6% of them qualified for drug-based LDL-C lowering. Our data helps to estimate of the magnitude of the burden imposed on the Mexican health system, of lowering LDL-C for cardiovascular prevention. If we apply our results to the 2,000 Mexican population census more than 5.8 million cases nationwide may require LDL lowering drug therapy following the NCEP-III criteria.

Evaluamos el impacto de las recomendaciones del Programa Nacional de Educación en Colesterol (NCEP-III) en muestra poblacíonal. La información proviene de 2,201 sujetos de 20 a 69 años cuyas muestras se obtuvieron después de un ayuno de 9 a 12 horas. Una condición con riesgo cardiovascular equivalente al de la cardiopatía isquémica se encontró en 10.5%; > 2 factores de riesgo se encontraron en 41.7%. El colesterol LDL (LDL-C) fue suficientemente alto (> 160 mg/dL) para indicarse tratamiento hipolipemiante con medicamentos, en ausencia de otros factores de riesgo en 10% de los participantes. El 25% de la población calificó para recibir tratamiento hipolipemiante (cambios del estilo de vida 15.9% y tratamiento farmacológico en 11.7%). En casos con > 2 factores de riesgo, un pequeño porcentaje (1.8%) fue identificado con riesgo mayor a > 20% de tener un evento cardiovascular a 10 años; 86.3% fue identificado con bajo riesgo (< 10% a 10 años). La mayoría de los casos con síndrome metabólíco (84%) fueron identificados en el grupo de bajo riesgo. Como resultado, sólo 17.6% de ellos calificó para disminuir su LDL-C con medicamentos. Nuestros datos demuestran el reto que representa la prevención de complicaciones cardiovasculares por medio de la reducción de la concentración del LDL-C. Extrapolando nuestros datos al censo 2000, más de 5.8 millones de mexicanos califican para recibir tratamiento farmacológico de acuerdo con los criterios del NCEP-III.

Managing Outpatients with Dyslipidemia in a University Hospital

BACKGROUND: We evaluated physician's management of hypercholesterolemia on the basis of the third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) report of the National Cholesterol Education Program. METHODS: The subjects were, 85 adult patients. The inclusion criteria were follows: outpatients with an initial total cholesterol level of > or =200 mg/dL or HDL-cholesterol or =160 mg/dL for patients with risk factor or =130 mg/dL for patients with risk factors > or =2; > or =100 mg/dL for patients with CHD or diabetes). In 59.5% of patients with undesirable LDL reported that they did not provide education about TLC and in 40.0% of patients with desirable LDL were provided prescription of LDL- lowering drugs from physicians. Physicians were more likely to prescribe if the patients had more risk factors (P=0.001) and educated patients when they prescribed them (P=0.049). However, physicians did not educate on TLC and did not recheck lipid profile prior to first prescription. CONCLUSION: The physicians did not follow the ATP III guideline for management of hypercholesterolemia. Barriers to comply with these guidelines and ways to eliminate barriers should be found.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of the Metabolic Syndrome as Defined by NCEP-ATP III

BACKGROUNDS: The Third Report of the Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III) has newly introduced the clinical diagnosis guideline of the metabolic syndrome which is characterized by clustering of the CHD risk factors. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Korean adults by the newly introduced guideline and to evaluate possible risk factors with the syndrome. METHODS: The subject of this study included 3,873 adults (males 2,144, females 1,729) aged 20 years or older who visited the Health Promotion Center of SNUH. Among the subjects, we excluded those who did not have records of physical parameters, blood test results and who were on current medications except antihypertensives and oral hypoglycemic agents. We estimated the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Korean adults according to the ATP III waist-circumference guideline, Asia-Pacific waist- circumference, and Body Mass Index (BMI), respectively, and calculated the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome using the direct standardized method. While applying the Asia-Pacific waist circumference, we estimated the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome by age group and the prevalence of the individual abnormalities of the metabolic syndrome. To identify variables associated with the metabolic syndrome, we used the multiple logistic regression method to estimate the prevalence odds ratios for the metabolic syndrome vs. the non-metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: The age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Korean adults was 9.3% when ATP III waist-circumference was applied, 15.4% for Asia-Pacific waist-circumference, and 18.6% for body mass index (BMI). The highest prevalence of the individual criteria among the metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria in men was hypertension, followed by hypertriglyceridemia, abdominal obesity, high fasting blood glucose, and low HDL-cholesterolemia. And in women, it was also hypertension, followed by abdominal obesity, low HDL- cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and high fasting blood glucose. The prevalence increased from 3.8% among participants aged 20 through 29 years to 27.1% for ages 60 through 69 years and 31.6% for ages above 70 years. Females, increasing age, increased BMI, current smoking, physical inactivity were higher risk factors for the metabolic syndrome, but mild drinking was a lower risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: These results show that the metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent although less prevalent than in American adults. The family physician should focus on the screening and comprehensive management of the metabolic syndrome.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP-ATPIII among the urban Korean population / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The definition of metabolic syndrome was different in each studies and thus the results of each studies were variable. In 2001 years, the third report of the national cholesterol education program expert panel on detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (NCEP-ATP III) emphasized the importance of treating patients with the metabolic syndrome to prevent cardiovascular disease. In year 2000, the criteria to define obesity in Asia-Pacific region was proposed. However, limited information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome according to NCEP-ATP III in Korea. We compared the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the urban Korean population by criteria of ATP III report and Asia-Pacific region and estimated the effect of age and sex on the development of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Total 40,698 participants (26,528 men, 14,170 women) underwent medical check-up from Jan. to Dec. 2001, aged 20-82 years (mean+/-SD: 41.2+/-9.2), were included in this study. Age, sex, height, body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and fasting glucose levels were measured. RESULTS: By the definition of ATPIII, the age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome for Koreans was 6.8% in total, 5.2% in men, 9.0% in women. In Asia-Pacific definition with waist circumference, 10.9% in total, 9.8% in men, 12.4%. In Asia-Pacific definition with body mass index (BMI) instead of waist circumference, 13.1% in total, 13.2% in men, 13.1% in women. By the definition of ATP III, the prevalence among participants aged 20 through 29 years, 30 through 39 years, 40 through 49 years, 50 through 59 years, 60 through 69 years, and over 70 years were 1.4%, 2.5%, 5.2%, 11.5%, 19.5% and 22.2%, respectively. By the Asia-Pacific definition with waist circumference, 2.4%, 5.4%, 9.4%, 18.2%, 27.5% and 31.3%, respectively. By the Asia-Pacific definition with BMI instead of waist circumference, 3.2%, 8.4%, 13.0%, 21.0%, 29.0% and 30.6%, respectively. With BMI-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of participants with the metabolic syndrome aged over 70 years against aged 20 through 29 years was 13.8(95% CI 8.2~23.2). With age and BMI-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of women with the metabolic syndrome for men was 1.4(95% CI 1.2~1.5). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome on NHANES III (The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) report in USA displayed much difference with our report. Therefore, adequate criteria of the metabolic syndrome for Koreans should be needed.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP-ATPIII among the urban Korean population / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The definition of metabolic syndrome was different in each studies and thus the results of each studies were variable. In 2001 years, the third report of the national cholesterol education program expert panel on detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (NCEP-ATP III) emphasized the importance of treating patients with the metabolic syndrome to prevent cardiovascular disease. In year 2000, the criteria to define obesity in Asia-Pacific region was proposed. However, limited information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome according to NCEP-ATP III in Korea. We compared the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the urban Korean population by criteria of ATP III report and Asia-Pacific region and estimated the effect of age and sex on the development of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Total 40,698 participants (26,528 men, 14,170 women) underwent medical check-up from Jan. to Dec. 2001, aged 20-82 years (mean+/-SD: 41.2+/-9.2), were included in this study. Age, sex, height, body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and fasting glucose levels were measured. RESULTS: By the definition of ATPIII, the age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome for Koreans was 6.8% in total, 5.2% in men, 9.0% in women. In Asia-Pacific definition with waist circumference, 10.9% in total, 9.8% in men, 12.4%. In Asia-Pacific definition with body mass index (BMI) instead of waist circumference, 13.1% in total, 13.2% in men, 13.1% in women. By the definition of ATP III, the prevalence among participants aged 20 through 29 years, 30 through 39 years, 40 through 49 years, 50 through 59 years, 60 through 69 years, and over 70 years were 1.4%, 2.5%, 5.2%, 11.5%, 19.5% and 22.2%, respectively. By the Asia-Pacific definition with waist circumference, 2.4%, 5.4%, 9.4%, 18.2%, 27.5% and 31.3%, respectively. By the Asia-Pacific definition with BMI instead of waist circumference, 3.2%, 8.4%, 13.0%, 21.0%, 29.0% and 30.6%, respectively. With BMI-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of participants with the metabolic syndrome aged over 70 years against aged 20 through 29 years was 13.8(95% CI 8.2~23.2). With age and BMI-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of women with the metabolic syndrome for men was 1.4(95% CI 1.2~1.5). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome on NHANES III (The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) report in USA displayed much difference with our report. Therefore, adequate criteria of the metabolic syndrome for Koreans should be needed.