Objectives: There are only few studies on the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Polish population. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome according to NCEP definition in adult inhabitants of Krakow.
Material and method: The study was conducted in 2004-2005 in 42 Krakow's primary health care units in patients aged over 25, not treated due to the diabetes type 2 and/or coronary artery disease, with no history of myocardial infarction or stroke. In all study participants anthropometric examination, blood pressure, fasting total cholesterol and fasting glucose were measured. In those with total cholesterol > 5.2 mmol/l additional triglicerides and HDL-cholesterol were measured.
Results: 40989 people (67.2% women and 32.8% men) aged 25 to 97 (54.1 +/- 14.1 years) were examined. In 19,4% of the examined population the MS was diagnosed (20.9% women and 16.2% men). In age group below 55 years the MS was more frequent in men than in women. Impaired glucose tolerance was found in 5394 study participants (3239 women and 2155 men). Mean systolic blood pressure was higher in men than in women (131.5 +/- 16,1 vs 127.0 +/- 17.5, p < 0.0001), the same was found for diastolic blood pressure (81.5 +/- 0.3 vs 78.6 +/- 9.6 p < 0.0001). 33.5% of women and 34.9% of men (p < 0.01) were treated from hypertension. In age group below 55 years men were more frequently treated due to hypertension than women (p < 0.001). In 8.7% of women and 14.1% of men (p < 0.001) newly diagnosed hypertension was found. In all age groups untreated hypertension was more frequent among men than in women. In 26.1% women and 33.5% men hypertriglicrdymia was found. In age group below hypertiglicerydemia was more frequent in men than in women (p < 0.001). Low HDL-cholesterol was found in 20.9% of women and 10.1% of men (p < 0.001). Visceral fat distribution was found in 19.9% of men and 33.3% of women.
Conclusions: The MS was found in 20% of examined inhabitants of Krakow. Special attention should be paid to high prevalence of the MS among men younger than 45 years, as well as high prevalence of hypertriglicerydemia and newly diagnosed hypertension present in this group of men. The study results confirm the necessity of implementation of screening and early prevention of cardiovascular disease programs especially focused on younger men.