Abstract
Purpose The aim of the present study was to analyze the presence of metabolic syndrome in the Japanese population.
Methods Data from 49375 subjects (16886 women,32489 men) with a mean age of 52.2±10.2 years who underwent general health screening between 1994 and 2003 at our institute were analyzed. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III including five components; increased body mass index, hypertension, increased serum triglycerides, decreased serum HDL cholesterol, and increased fasting glucose.
Results The mean overall rate of metabolic syndrome was 10.0% (women,4.1%; men,13.1%), seeming to reach a plateau after 50 years of age in men, but with a continual age-associated increase in women. HOMA-IR rose as the number of metabolic syndrome risk factors increased in both genders. After adjusting for age, serum total cholesterol levels, and smoking status, the frequency of metabolic syndrome was greatest in men (odds ratio,3.17,95% CI 2.89-3.48, p<0.0001).
Conclusion In this large Japanese study population undergoing general health screening, metabolic syndrome was found to be over three times more frequent in men than women.
