Metabolic Syndrome in a Sub-population of Geriatric Nigerians in a Primary Care Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Research studies have shown that age is an independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, as eco-demographic structure and function of Nigeria changes, geriatric Nigerians tend to adopt lifestyles that promote the emergence of metabolic syndrome. Aim: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in a sub-population of geriatric Nigerians in a primary care clinic of a tertiary hospital in South-eastern Nigeria. Study Design: This was a cross sectional study carried out on a sub-population of 225 geriatric Nigerians. Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in the primary care clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria between May 2012 and October 2012. Methodology: Two hundred and twenty five geriatric patients aged ≥ 60 years were screened for MetS using International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria: An Individual was considered to have MetS in the presence of waist circumference ≥94 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women plus any two or more of the following: systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg and/or hypertension on treatment; fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL and/or diabetes mellitus on treatment; triglyceride level ≥150 mg/dL and/or hypertriglyceridaemia on treatment and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol <40 mg/dL for men or <50 mg/dL for women and/or HDL-C dyslipidaemia on treatment. The data collected included basic demographic and nutri-behavioural variables using structured, pretested and interviewer administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 44.0%. MetS was significantly associated with female sex (P=.036), not engaged in any occupation (P=.043), and physical inactivity (P=.001). The most significant predictor of MetS was physical inactivity (P=.001, OR=2.30 (1.08-5.63). The geriatric patients with MetS were two times more likely to be physically inactive compared to their non-MetS counterparts. Conclusion: MetS occurs in a sub-population of geriatric Nigerians in primary care and is associated with female sex, not engaged in any occupation, and physical inactivity. Screening for MetS alongside its determinants should be considered for geriatric Nigerians in primary care.

study of prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The study was undertaken with an objective to study the thyroid functions in patients with metabolic syndrome diagnosed as per International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and to know the spectrum of thyroid dysfunction. Methods: A total of 300 patients with metabolic syndrome diagnosed as per IDF criteria were included in the study. A detailed history regarding symptoms of hypothyroidism and examination was done in all patients and all these patients underwent thyroid profile tests. Results: A total of 300 patients with metabolic syndrome were included in this study. Thyroid dysfunction was present in 45% of the patients. Hypothyroidism was noted in 43 patients, subclinical hypothyroidism was noted in 114 patients, subclinical hyperthyroidism in 6 patients and hyperthyroidism in 1 patient. This study included 166 males and 134 females. 10% of the patients had symptoms related to hypothyroidism. 7% had goiter on examination. Thyroid dysfunction was seen in 68% females compared to that of 47% in males. Females had higher incidence compared to males. Elderly females (42%) and males in the age group of 40-50 years (41%) had higher incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism compared to others. Conclusions: Prevalence of thyroid disorders in diabetics was 45%. Elderly population had more incidences. Sub- clinical hypothyroidism was more common among females.

Metabolic Syndrome Based on IDF Criteria in a Sample of Normal Weight and Obese School Children

Metabolic syndrome was once reported only in adults but is now occurring more frequently in children. This study compared the incidence of metabolic syndrome and its components among normal and obese children using the 2007 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) pediatric definition for metabolic syndrome. Subjects comprised 78 school children aged 8-10 years, with 34 obese and 44 normal weight children. Body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured and body mass index was calculated. Clinical profiles measured included fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined using the 2007 IDF pediatric criteria. Obese subjects had a significantly (p<0.001) higher mean BMI (26.0 ± 3.6 kg/m2) compared to normal weight subjects (15.1 ± 0.8 kg/m2). Only one obese subject (1.3% of subjects) had metabolic syndrome based on the IDF definition, but all obese subjects had at least one component of metabolic syndrome. In comparison, no normal weight subjects had metabolic syndrome and only 9.1% of normal weight subjects had at least one component of metabolic syndrome. The most common component was central obesity, observed in 43.6% of subjects having WC equal to or greater than the 90th percentile. In concurrence with central obesity as the core feature of the IDF criteria, WC showed the strongest correlation with indicators of obesity such as BMI (r=0.938, p<0.001), fat mass (r=0.912, p<0.001) and fat-free mass (r=0.863, p<0.001). We conclude that the problem of metabolic syndrome is more prominent among obese children, although the incidence of MS as defined by the 2007 pediatric IDF criteria, is low in this population (1.3%).