The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in different ethnic groups in Turkey

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 188 - 199
• Main Authors: Kumbasar, Baki, Yenigun, Mustafa, Ataoglu, Hayriye Esra, Sar, Fuat, Serez, Kemal, Turker, Tunga, Tamay, Sebnem, Kutlu, Mehmet, Seven, Cemal, Ebil, Samet Serkan, Temiz, Levent Umit, Ergen, Kadir, Kaptanogullari, Ozlem Harmankaya, Kazancıoglu, Rumayza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2013; Sage Publications
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Demography; Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Other metabolic disorders; Prevalence; Turkey - epidemiology; Asia; Turkey; ethnicity; abdominal obesity; hypertriglyceridaemia; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; hyperglycaemia; Turkish population; Metabolic syndrome; hypertension; Endocrinopathy; Prevalence; Cardiovascular disease; Lipids; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Enzymopathy; Epidemiology; Visceral obesity; Hyperglycemia; Dyslipemia; Lipoprotein HDL; Public health; Human; Hypertension; Metabolic diseases; Triglyceride; Cholesterol; Ethnic group; Hypertriglyceridemia; Risk factor
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060512474137

Objective To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in various ethnic groups in Istanbul, Turkey. Methods Study participants were aged ≥20 years. Risk factor components for metabolic syndrome were measured and its presence was determined in study participants. Results The study included 254 Greeks, 273 West Thracians, 275 East Turkistanis and 304 Armenians. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly different between groups (Greeks, 19.3%; West Thracians, 24.9%; East Turkistanis, 15.3%; Armenians, 20.4%), and increased with age in all groups. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found mainly in Greeks (females, 64.5%; males, 61.6%) and West Thracians (females, 75.8%; males, 73.1%). Among East Turkistanis, HDL-C and triglyceride levels were significantly higher compared with the other ethnic groups. Hypertension was the most frequently encountered component of metabolic syndrome in East Turkistanis. Conclusions The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varied between ethnic groups living in the same geographical location. In Turkey, metabolic syndrome is common. It is important to determine differences between ethnic groups, as this will assist in identifying those at higher risk of developing coronary heart disease.