Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: Metabolic syndrome is a major public health challenge associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Azerbaijan is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its relation to physical activity and nutrition in a representative sample of adult population in Azerbaijan.

Methods: The study population consisted of 288 adults, 20 years of age and over, from Guba, Azerbaijan recruited between January and April of 2016 by random sampling in line with the gender and age distribution.

Revised NCEP/ATP III criteria were used to define metabolic syndrome and prevalence estimates of each individual component were determined. Physical activity and food consumption were assessed with validated questionnaires and their relations with components of metabolic syndrome were evaluated.

Results: The participants were 159 women and 129 men (mean ±S.D. age of 43.1±15.2 y (range 20–83 y)). Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 28.4%. Abdominal obesity was the most common individual component (49% and 85.4% in whole population and in those with metabolic syndrome respectively). Interestingly, it was also the only component that was more common in women than men (P<0.05 for both whole population and patients with metabolic syndrome) whereas the other components did not show a gender difference. The odds ratio for having metabolic syndrome was 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34–0.95) in moderate-high physical activity group compared to low physical activity group suggesting a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome with increased physical activity. Total calorie intake, protein, fat and carbohydrate consumption did not show a significant difference in participants with and without metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome in Azerbaijan is common and associated with low physical activity. Preventive measures should be taken to address this public health problem and related risk factors in the country.