Endocrine Abstracts

Background and Aims: The identification of metabolic syndrome (MS) is important so that components of this syndrome can be managed appropriately to prevent or delay progression of associated cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome as the NCEP/ATP III criteria in a selected population of type 2 diabetes from the Tirana Register of Diabetes.

Materials and Methods: In Tirana district we randomly selected 300 patients from the Tirana Register of Diabetes. 220/300 (73.3%) of the patients responded. All the patients had completed anthropometric measures and lipid profile after an 8-hour fast. All the patients having three or more of the criteria were defined as having Metabolic Syndrome (MS).

Results: The prevalence of the MS was 64.5%, in men 56.8% and 75.7% for women. The prevalence increased with age, from 16% before 40 years of age to 78% after 70 years. Diabetes duration was not different in patients with MS than those without it (M: 6.7±3.4 vs 6.9±3.7; F: 7.2±3.8 vs 6.8±3.6 yrs). The number of components of the MS was related to the age (ANOVA P<0.05) but not to diabetes duration. Central obesity was present to 36% of men and 85.4% of women, HTA 49.6 and 60.2%, low HDL 52 and 90%, high triglycerides 70.9 and 66.7% respectively. HbA1c was higher in persons with MS (9.6±2.2 vs 8.7±1.4%, P<0.01).

Conclusion: The results show that MS is two-fold more prevalent in type 2 diabetes, compared with the general albanian population (64.5 vs 32%). The levels of cardiovascular risk factors are increased in type 2 diabetics and urged immediate efforts directed at controlling the components (mainly obesity, physical inactivity and lipid control) of MS especially in type 2 diabetes.