Prevalence and Correlates of Metabolic Syndrome among Industrial Workers in Kerala, India

Objective

To determine the prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome (MES) among industrial workers in Kerala, India

Methodology

We measured fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among 2321 industrial workers (mean age 44 years, men 70.3%) from selected industries of two southern most Kerala districts using standard protocol in 2009.   MES was defined according to international diabetes federation criteria (waist circumference >=90 cm for men and >=80 cm for women and any two of the following four factors: raised triglycerides ( >=150 mg/dl or on medication for lipid abnormality), reduced HDL cholesterol (< 40 mg/dl in men and <50 mg/dl in women or on treatment for lipid abnormality); raised blood pressure (SBP>=130 or DBP>=85 mm of hg or on medication for hypertension); raised FPG (>=100mg/dl or previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes).

Results

The overall prevalence of MES was 28.4% (95% CI: 26.5-30.2), higher in women (33.5%) than in men (26.2%) p<0.001 and increased with age (p<0.001).  Components of MES were as follows: Reduced HDL cholesterol (66.8%), raised blood pressure (53.3%), raised triglycerides (34.2%), central obesity (38.7%) and raised FPG (49.7%).  In age adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis, odds for MES was 1.69 (95% CI: 1.34-2.12) for alcohol users, 1.05(CI: 1.04-1.06) for women and 0.68(CI: 0.51-0.91) for smokers compared to their counter parts. 

Conclusion

Significant proportion of the population had raised values for the components of MES which are likely to result in multiple chronic diseases.