Changes in the Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrome in Korea over the period 1998-2007

Background The aim of this study is to examine change of age-adjusted prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) over 10 years between 1998 and 2007. Methods The random sample used in this study included 9,170 Korean subjects ≥20 years of age. We divided the subjects into two groups based on MS presence for which we used the criteria described in NCEP ATP III and International Diabetes Federation. Results The prevalence of MS was 27.0% in 1998 and 28.8% in 2007 (percent change 6.6%, p=NS). The prevalence of lower HDL, abdominal obesity, and High TG increased; 35.5% in 1998 and 63.5% in 2007 (percent change 78.8%, p<0.001) for lower HDL; 29.6% in 1998 and 34.4% in 2007 (percent change 16.2%, p<0.001) for abdominal obesity; 27.5% in 1998 and 30.2% in 2007 (percent change 9.8%, p<0.001) for High TG.. However, the prevalence of High BP, and High FBS decreased; 37.6% in 1998 and 28.9% in 2007 (percent change -71.1%, p<0.001) for High BP; 37.3% in 1998 and 28.9% in 2007(percent change -77.3%, p<0.001) for High FBS. For gender, the prevalence of MS was 25.0% in 1998 and 28.8% in 2007 (percent change 15.2%, p<0.001) in men, and 28.8% in 1998 and 28.9% in 2007 (percent change 0.4%, p=NS) in women. Conclusions Contrary to increased trends of MS in Western countries, MS in Korean population did not increase from 1998 (28.6%) to 2007 (26.9%). However, dyslipidemia and abdominal obesity increased significantly.