The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MS) in relatively healthy elderly Croatian populations from 4 different centres (N-total=320): mainly rural region Virovitica (N=62), urban centre Zagreb (N=119), mainly rural Adriatic region of Omis (N=97) and the urban centre Split (N=42). The IDF diagnostic criterion was used. There was a significant difference in MS prevalence between large and small urban centres (p=0.051 ; odds ratio=0.63, p=0.052). Significant differences were noted in nutritional habits between the subjects from continental centres and Adriatic centres, as well as between large and small urban centres. Consummation of wine was higher in subjects without MS (p=0.055). In the male population ALP and GGT activities were significantly higher in subjects with MS (ALP p=0.009 ; GGT p=0.041). Data concerning nutritional habits showed that only moderate consumption of wine indicated the protective role against MS in the population presented.

High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an elderly Croatian population- Multicenter study

Metabolic syndrome (MS), an assemblage of risk factors (obesity, dyslipidemia, carbohydrate intolerance, hypertension) associated with development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, has assumed epidemic proportions in western societies. However, data on its prevalence in worldwide populations, particularly in non-industrialized societies is sparse. We report the prevalence of MS in an island population of the eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia, a distinctly homogenous population living in relative isolation with a traditional way of life style pattern. The participants consist of 381 unrelated individuals (136 males, 245 females), age 19 and above from the island of Hvar, one of the most populated Croatian islands with a population of over 11, 500 individuals. MS was assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria, with the exception of using body-mass index (BMI) and/or waist-hip ratio (WHR) as the predictors of obesity. Age-adjusted prevalence of MS was 26% (32% in males and 24% in females) with BMI and 42% (57% in males and 36% in females) with WHR as the measures of obesity. Pairwise correlations of age and sex-adjusted individual components, with the exception of fasting plasma glucose, are significantly associated with each other suggesting their co-morbidity. Prevalence of MS is substantially high in population of Hvar, comparable only to the Mexican American and the Native American populations. Our dana also illustrates that prevalence and associated risks of MS are dependent on the definition used for describing the syndrome.

Huifeng Xia

Papers

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an island population of the eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia