Prevalence of metabolic syndrome components among the elderly using three different definitions: A cohort study in Finland

Figures & data

Table I. Criteria of the metabolic syndrome according to NCEP, NCEP-modified, and IDF definitions.

NCEP (3 of the following)	NCEP modified (3 of the following)	IDF (waist obligatory +2 other components)
Waist >102 cm (male), >88 cm (female) identifying central obesity	Waist ≥102 cm (male), ≥88 cm (female) identifying central obesity	Waist ≥94 (male) or ≥80 (female) cm or BMI >30.0 kg/m^2
Triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L	Triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality	Triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality
HDL <1.03 mmol/lL (male), <1.29 mmol/l (female)	HDL <1.03 mmol/lL (male), <1.29 mmol/l (female) or treatment for this lipid abnormality	HDL <1.03 (male) or <1.29 (female) mmol/L or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality
Elevated blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg	Elevated blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg or antihypertensive medication	Elevated blood pressure: ≥130/85 mmHg or antihypertensive medication
Hyperglycemia: fasting plasma glucose ≥6.1 mmol/L	Hyperglycemia: fasting plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L or treatment for elevated glucose	Hyperglycemia: fasting plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L or previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes

Notes: NCEP = National Cholesterol Education Panel; NCEPm = NCEP modified; IDF = International Diabetes Federation; waist = waist circumference; HDL = high density lipoprotein.

Table II. Prevalence (95% confidence intervals) of single components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the NCEP, modified NCEP and IDF definitions

Definitions and components	Men (n =219)	Women (n =320)	p value
MetS by NCEP	24.7% (19.1–30.9)	20.9% (16.6–25.8)	0.309
MetS by modified NCEP	35.2% (28.9–41.9)	33.1% (28.0–38.6)	0.624
MetS by IDF	37.2% (30.7–43.9)	47.8% (42.2–53.4)	0.015
Elevated blood pressure:
NCEP ≥130/85 mmHg	84.0% (78.5–88.6)	79.0% (74.1–833.3)	0.144
NCEPm ≥130/85 mmHg or treatment	91.8% (87.3–95.1)	89.0% (85.1–92.2)	0.293
IDF ≥130/85 mmHg or treatment	91.8% (87.3–95.1)	89.0% (85.1–92.2)	0.293
Central obesity:
NCEP waist >102 cm (male), >88 cm (female)	21.0% (15.8–27.0)	31.4% (26.3–36.8)	0.008
NCEPm waist ≥102 cm (male), ≥88 cm (female )	23.7% (18.3–29.9)	36.7% (31.4–42.2))	0.002
IDF(obligatory) waist ≥94 cm (male), ≥80 cm (female) or BMI >30	43.6% (36.9–50.4)	67.3% (61.8–72.4)	<0.001
BMI >30	25.8% (20.1–32.2)	31.9% (26.8–37.3)	0.132
Lipids:
NCEP, triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L	18.8% (13.9–24.6)	12.6% (9.1–16.7)	0.048
NCEPm, IDF, triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L or treatment	18.8% (13.9–24.6)	12.6% (9.1–16.7)	0.048
NCEP, HDL <1.03 mmol/ L(male), <1.29 mmol/ L(female)	8.7% (5.3–13.3)	10.3% (7.2–14.2)	0.531
NCEPm, IDF HDL <1.03 mmol/L(male), <1.29 mmol/ L(female) or treatment	8.7% (5.3–13.3)	10.3% 87.2–14.2)	0.531
Glucose abnormality:
NCEP, FPG ≥6.1 mmol/L or treatment (or previously diagnosed diabetes)	53.2% (46.4–60.0)	33.1% (28.0–38.6)	<0.001
NCEPm, IDF: FPG ≥5.6 mmol/L or treatment for diabetes	78.4% (72.4–83.7)	59.7% (54.1–65.1)	<0.001

Notes: NCEP = National Cholesterol Education Panel; NCEPm = NCEP modified; IDF = International Diabetes Federation; waist = waist circumference; FPG = fasting plasma glucose; BMI = body mass index

Table III. Prevalence (95% confidence intervals) of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) measured by the NCEP, modified NCEP, and IDF definitions.

MetS	NCEP (%, 95% CI), n	NCEP modified (%, 95% CI), n	IDF (%, 95% CI), n
Male	24.7% (19.1–30.9) 54	35.2% (28.9–41.9) 77	37.2% (30.7–43.9) 80
Female	20.9% (16.6–25.8) 67	33.1% (28.0–38.6) 107	47.8% (42.2–53.4) 153
All	22.4% (18.9–26.0) 121	34.1% (30.1–38.1) 184	43.5% (39.3–47.7) 233

Notes: NCEP = National Cholesterol Education Panel, NCEPm = NCEP modified; IDF = International Diabetes Federation.