ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been fully studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: The data of 35,534 subjects who underwent a health examination both in 1996 and 2001 were analyzed. Since the waist circumference was not available, modified criteria of MetS was used for those with 3 or more of the following items: 1) body mass index (BMI) >or=25 kg/m(2), 2) blood pressure >or=130 mm Hg in systolic and/or >or=85 mm Hg in diastolic, 3) triglycerides >or=150 mg/dL, 4) high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol