The metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic subjects in Gorgan, Iran

Objective: To assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in subjects diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: Data were collected from 200 subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and they were categorized as with or without the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III) guidelines. Results: The overall metabolic syndrome prevalence was 51.50%. The mean age of all the subjects was 53.65+-9.50 years. There were 122 females and 78 males of whom 65 females and 38 males had the metabolic syndrome. The mean duration of diabetes was 7.70+-1.29 years. Mean triglycerides were 185.15+-56.63 mg/dl, and fasting blood glucose 153 +-19.6 mg/dl. These levels were significantly higher in the subjects with type-2 diabetes with metabolic syndrome, but the mean HDL-cholesterol was 37.96+-5.09 mg/dl and this was lower (p< 0.001). Female and male subjects with metabolic syndrome had significantly longer (except HDL-cholesterol) duration of diabetes, higher Triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose levels (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Females were more affected than males. (author)