Publication:

Attributes of metabolic syndrome in geriatric institutional residents in Secunderabad, India

Background Asians including Indians have a high prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome which carries a host of cardiovascular risk factors. Since a  scarce information is available about the magnitude of Metabolic Syndrome amongst the geriatric population in India, present study was taken up to ascertain the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and its probable  attributes among the geriatric population residing in old age homes in Secunderabad City (India).

Methods All Geriatric individuals residing in two Old Age Homes in Secunderabad City were recruited and measurements were taken for their anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference as well as blood pressure. Blood samples were collected from them after overnight fasting for biochemical assessment of fasting blood sugar level. The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome was assessed by following the criteria adopted by in an Indian study. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 16 software package.

Results Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome was found 42.1% among the Geriatric affecting more females (62.3%) compared to males (p<0.05) and the condition was found significantly more (p<0.05) among overweight and obese Geriatric persons as compared to those had either normal BMI.

Conclusions The magnitude of Metabolic Syndrome was high among the geriatric population under study causing a significant risk of undesirable cardiovascular events.