Metabolic syndrome in family practice in Jordan: a study of high-risk groups

This study assessed the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and its components, as defined by Adult Treatment Panel III criteria in Jordanian patients attending a family practice clinic for management of cardiovascular risk factors. The sample was 730 randomly selected patients aged >/= 25 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 37.4% [31.7% in men; 41.0% in women]. The prevalence increased with age in the total sample and in both sexes. High waist circumference showed the highest prevalence in the total sample [61.6%]. Among females it ranked as the first criterion [73.5%]. High serum triglyceride level showed the highest prevalence in males [50.2%]. Differences between the sexes were significant. Family practitioners should be alerted to the importance of multiple risk factors in the metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome in patients with hypertension attending a family practice clinic in Jordan

Metabolic syndrome is being reported more frequently in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Patients with hypertension attending family practice clinics in the University of Jordan Hospital between February and July 2006 were assessed for the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its individual components. Of 345 patients studied, 65% had metabolic syndrome. Females were more likely to meet Adult Treatment Panel-III criteria for the diagnosis. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent component of metabolic syndrome in males, while low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high waist circumference ranked first and second in females. Primary care providers should be alert to the importance of screening patients with hypertension for metabolic syndrome to prevent and manage these combined conditions