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.