Prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome among women above 35 years of age: a cross sectional study from northern India -

Background: In India, as more and more people are adopting sedentary lifestyle the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors for future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The objectives of the study was to determine prevalence of metabolic syndrome among women above age of 35 years in northern India attending a gynecological outpatient department of a tertiary hospital and to find out predictors of metabolic syndrome. Methods: Premenopausal and postmenopausal women above 35 years of age attending gynecological outpatient department were screened for the presence of metabolic syndrome, according to the criteria of modified NCEP-ATP III (National Cholesterol Education Program). Data was collected and analyzed. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 49.3% among women above 35 years of age. In the logistic regression analysis it is found that body mass index and menopausal status were two variables which significantly affected occurrence of metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: The present study shows a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome amongst women above 35 years of age. The prevalence was higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. In logistic regression analysis it was found that menopause and body mass index are independent predictors of metabolic syndrome.