Metabolic syndrome is associated with impaired health-related quality of life:: Lapinlahti 2005 study

Purpose Association of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is poorly documented. Our objective was to examine this association in an adult general population. Methods In our cross-sectional community-based health survey in a semirural Finnish community, we invited all the adults (n = 760) of eight birth cohorts between 30 and 65 years, of which 480 (63%) participated. A 15-dimensional, standardized HRQoL instrument (15D) was used to measure the main outcome, and the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) 2005 criteria were used for MetS classification. Results The prevalence of MetS was 38%. MetS was significantly associated with impaired HRQoL (P < 0.001) measured by the 15D score. Participants with MetS were statistically significantly worse off than participants without MetS in the dimensions of mobility (P < 0.001), hearing (P = 0.021), breathing (P < 0.001), usual activities (P = 0.001), discomfort and symptoms (P = 0.002), vitality (P = 0.003), and sexual activity (P = 0.008). In a logistic regression analysis, a significant association persisted between MetS and impaired HRQoL (OR = 1.9). Conclusions MetS seems to be associated closely with perceived HRQoL at community level. Therefore, reduction of risk factors of MetS may improve HRQoL.