Metabolic Age: A New Predictor for Metabolic Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among the employees of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, along with presenting a predictor for its identification. Material and Methods: 1583 employees from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) participated in our cross-sectional study, who were originally a part of the enrollment phase in the TUMS Employees’ Cohort study (TEC). Their basic information, physical activity questionnaire, biochemical blood test, and body composition were obtained through the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and history of diseases and medication. The prevalence of MetS was determined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III). Result: According to the criteria of the IDF, the prevalence of MetS among total participants was 22.2%, where 21.9% were men and 22.4% were women. According to the criteria of ATP-III, the prevalence of MetS was found to be 15%. The prevalence of obesity (BMI≥30) and hyperglycemia (FBS ≥100 mg/dL) among the study participants was 23.4% and 9.7%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension (SBP ≥130, DBP ≥85 mmHg) and high triglyceride level (TG ≥150 mg/dL) was found to be 14.6% and 19.6%, respectively, while the prevalence of reduced high-density lipoprotein in men and women was found to be 40.3% and 74.7%, respectively.Logistic regression analysis revealed that the predictors of metabolic syndrome were age, sex, physique rate (the evaluated levels of muscle and body fat), and metabolic age (where the BMR of a person was compared to the mean of the BMR of the same age group). Conclusion: This study introduces metabolic age as a new predictor of MetS. However, more studies are needed to confirm this association.