Factors Related to Metabolic Syndrome Development and Recovery in Chinese Adults: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

ObjectiveThis study was a prospective assessment of the epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in cities in Northeast China. We explored the factors that affect the occurrence and outcome of MetS according to sex. Design and MethodsThis was a longitudinal survey assessing MetS status among 750 urban community residents in China. At baseline, the intra-abdominal fat area was measured by MRI, simple anthropometric parameters (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), etc.) were used to evaluate fat distribution; blood pressure and blood lipid profile were measured; an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to detect blood glucose; questionnaires were used to investigate lifestyles. Follow-up was conducted after 1.5 years (follow-up rate was 66.93%) to analyze the incidence of MetS and the influencing factors of MetS outcomes according to sex. ResultsThe 1.5-year cumulative incidence of MetS in the survey area was 25.40%. Men with visceral obesity were more likely to develop MetS than those with subcutaneous obesity (OR=9.778, p<0.05). Increased BMI (OR=1.379) and blood uric acid (BUA)>416 mmol/L (OR=2.318) were associated with the occurrence of MetS in men (all p<0.05). At the initial visit, BUA>356.9 mmol/L (OR=3.538), increased BMI (OR=1.212), and increased HbA1c (OR=2.577) were associated with the occurrence of MetS in women (all p<0.05). After 1.5 years, 25.37% of MetS patients no longer had MetS. Elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (OR=1.097) and increased visceral fat (OR=1.023) at the initial visit made men with MetS less likely to recover from MetS (all p<0.05). Higher High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) at the initial visit made women with MetS more likely to recover from MetS (beta: -3.509, OR=0.003, p<0.05). ConclusionThere are different risk factors for MetS in different genders. Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for the onset of MetS in both men and women.

Automated summary

This study prospectively assessed the epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in cities in Northeast China and explored the factors that affect the occurrence and outcome of MetS according to sex. The results showed that there are different risk factors for MetS in different genders, and hyperuricemia is a risk factor for the onset of MetS in both men and women.