Original scientific paper

Metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetics

Marion Kuzmanić ; Split University Faculty of Medicine, Family Medicine Program
Davorka Vrdoljak ; Split University Faculty of Medicine, Family Medicine Program
Mirjana Rumboldt ; Family Medicine Surgery, Sućidar 79/II, 21 000 Split
Dragomir Petric ; Splitsko-dalmatinska County Community Health Care, Family Medicine Surgery, Trg hrvatske bratske zajednice 7, 21000 Split

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in type 2 diabetics and to investigate the possible difference in frequency, calculated according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP-ATP III) criteria.
Subjects and methods. Enrolled were all type 2 diabetics aged 18, enlisted in four computorised family physician's offices. The questionnaire created for the purpose of this study included sociodemographic and anthropometric data, data on life habits, comorbidity, medication and cardiovascular risk factors. Data were
collected from medical records retrospectively, while anthropometric data on body height, weight and waist measurement were collected by additional measurements.
Results. Data on 243 type 2 diabetics were collected (3.79% of 6440 patients enlisted), 120 (46.4%) female and 123 (50.6%) male. The average age was 66.68 ± 9.23. According to WHO criteria 62 (25.2%)
examinees in our sample met the metabolic syndrome criteria, while according to NCEP-ATP III criteria that number was significantly higher 117 (48.1%), ( = 31.8, P < 0.001). In our sample MS occurred more often in heavy alcohol drinkers ( = 13.56, P = 0.001) and in diabetics who lacked regular physical activity
( = 10.52, P = 0.005).
Conclusion. There are several MS definitions, those by WHO and NCEP-ATP III are the most often used. In this study a markedly higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among type 2 diabetics was observed when assessed according to NCEP-ATP III criteria, which must be kept in mind while comparing different data. Taking waist measurements is an easy and sensitive method of detecting MS and should be implemented in the family physician's daily practice. Nonpharmacological measures (weight loss and exercise) are fundamental for MS treatment. The family physician has an unique opportunity to influence MS patients' lifestyle modifications, which is the most effective and the most difficult measure to carry out because of the patients' inadequate perception of delayed risk.

Keywords

Metabolic syndrome; type 2 diabetics; family medicine

Hrčak ID:

22680

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/22680

Publication date:

5.5.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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