Objective: To assess the gender differences in the prevalence of diabetes, composite cardiovascular disease, and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a Jordanian cohort with MS. Secondly, to evaluate the impact of number of MS components on prevalence of diabetes, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke.
Methods: We carried out a cohort study among participants who fulfilled the National Cholesterol Education Program (Adult Treatment Panel III) criteria for MS recruited from December 2006-2007 from Endocrine Outpatient Clinics of the King Hussein Medical Centre, Amman, and Prince Rashid Military Hospital, Irbid, Jordan. Patients were divided into groups according to gender, presence, or absence of diabetes, and were evaluated for MS components, presence of IHD, and stroke.
Results: Three hundred and fifty-seven patients 207 males and 150 females were included, type 2 diabetes was present in 226 (132 males) patients. No intergroup differences were found on waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or fasting blood sugar. Female group was having a worst lipid profile, higher triglyceride levels and low high density lipoprotein. Metabolic syndrome components were more in males. Diabetic males have more composite cardiovascular disease (CCVD) [relative risk (RR)=1.88, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-3.59]. No difference in prevalence of CCVD between female subgroups neither between the 2 genders with MS. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, IHD, and stroke increased with increasing number of MS components. Diabetes was the strongest predictor for development of CCVD (RR=1.8) and IHD (RR=2.18).
Conclusion: Females with MS have the worst lipid profile compared to the males, diabetic males have the worst CCVD end point. The prevalence of diabetes and IHD correlates with the number of MS components.