RESUMO
We investigated the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome and evaluated the level of awareness about this condition in medical community [healthcare workers] of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It was a cross-sectional study. It was carried out over a period of one year [June 2008 to May 2009]. The following institutions took part in the study: Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-eAzam Medical College, Paramedical and Nursing Schools and Female Jubilee Hospital, A total of one hundred and ninety four [194] Doctors and Paramedics [Nurses and Dispensers] working in the institutions included in study were selected by simple random sampling technique. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were recorded, lifestyle features were inquired about, and the level of awareness regarding MetS was surveyed. The criteria recommended by the Adult Treatment Panel [ATP] III were used for the diagnosis of MetS. The presence of MetS was evaluated in all [194] subjects. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 29 participants [14.95%], and there was no statistically significant difference between men and women in this respect. At least three criteria of MetS were correctly listed by 36 participants [18.56%], with physicians showing significantly higher awareness levels [p<0.001]. The frequency of abdominal obesity was 22.68% and it was significantly higher in males than in females [29.29% vs 14.74%; p<0.001]. Current study shows that only a minority of medical community are aware of MetS as a clinical entity. Nurses and other paramedics are unaware of the problem