The Cohort Study on Prediction of Incidence of All-Cause Mortality by Metabolic Syndrome

Impact of Overseas Deployment on Fatty Liver and Metabolic Diseases Among Korean Soldiers

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of metabolic diseases is increasing worldwide and is influenced by multiple environmental, psychological, and dietary factors. As overseas deployment (OD) of Korean soldiers brings about changes in these factors, this study aimed to explore the impact of OD on metabolic diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected paired health checkup data of Korean soldiers between January 2020 and December 2022, before and after their deployment. We analyzed changes in lipid profile, fasting glucose, and liver function biomarkers during OD and compared the prevalence of metabolic diseases before and after the OD.

RESULTS

A total of 2,953 soldiers were enrolled. During OD, body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and fasting glucose levels decreased significantly. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity, impaired fasting glucose, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease decreased significantly from 45.78% to 33.49%, P < .001; 38.60% to 34.41%, P < .001; and 24.89% to 18.88%, P < .001, respectively. In a subgroup analysis of participants with long-term deployment (duration >365 days), only the prevalence of obesity decreased significantly during deployment, whereas the prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic biomarkers improved, and the prevalence of metabolic diseases decreased significantly during OD. However, personnel with long-term deployment did not experience significant improvements in these parameters. Further analysis is needed to identify the factors influencing these discrepancies.

Associations Between General and Specific Mental Health Conditions in Young Adulthood and Cardiometabolic Complications in Middle Adulthood: A 40-Year Longitudinal Familial Coaggregation Study of 672,823 Swedish Individuals

OBJECTIVE

Most mental disorders, when examined individually, are associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications. However, these associations might be attributed to a general liability to psychopathology or confounded by unmeasured familial factors. The authors investigated the association between psychiatric conditions in young adulthood and the risk of cardiometabolic complications in middle adulthood, up to 40 years later.

METHODS

This cohort study (N=672,823) identified all individuals and their siblings born in Sweden between 1955 and 1962 and followed the cohort through 2013. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the bivariate associations between 10 psychiatric conditions or criminal convictions and five cardiometabolic complications in individuals. A general factor model was used to identify general, internalizing, externalizing, and psychotic factors based on the comorbidity among psychiatric conditions and criminal convictions. The cardiometabolic complications were then regressed on the latent general factor and three uncorrelated specific factors within a structural equation modeling framework in individuals and across sibling pairs.

RESULTS

Each psychiatric condition significantly increased the risk of cardiometabolic complications. These associations appeared nonspecific, as multivariate models indicated that most were attributable to the general factor of psychopathology, rather than to specific psychiatric conditions. There were no or only small associations between individuals' general psychopathology and their siblings' cardiometabolic complications. The same pattern was evident for the specific internalizing and psychotic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Associations between mental disorders in early life and later long-term risk of cardiometabolic complications appeared to be attributable to a general liability to psychopathology. Familial coaggregation analyses suggested that the elevated risk could not be attributed to confounders shared within families. One possibility is that lifestyle-based interventions may reduce the risk of later cardiometabolic complications for patients with several mental disorders.

Prevalence and secular trends in premetabolic syndrome in the United States: Findings from 1999-2020 nationally representative data of adults

PURPOSE

Although Premetabolic syndrome (PeMetSyn) is a precursor for metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), its prevalence and trends are unknown. This study examined the prevalence and trends in PreMetSyn and its association with sociodemographic risk factors in American adults.

METHODS

The 1999-2000 to 2017-2020 United States National Health and Nutritional Health Surveys (NHANES) data were used. PreMetSyn was defined as co-occurrence two cardiometabolic risk factors consisting of abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL-C, elevated blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose. We calculated sex-specific overall prevalence of PreMetSyn and by race/ethnicity, age, education, poverty, and body mass index (BMI) categories. Sex-specific logistic regression models were used to test the association between sociodemographic risk factors and PreMetSyn.

RESULTS

From 1999 - 2000 to 2017-2020, the age-adjusted overall prevalence of PreMetSyn increased by 155.4% (from 9.2% to 23.5%) in men and by 131.3% (from 11.2% to 25.9%) in women. Increases in prevalence of PreMetSyn were observed by race/ethnicity, age, education, poverty and BMI levels in men and women from 1999-2000 to 2017-2020. Survey cycle, race/ethnicity, age, education, poverty-income ratio, and BMI were independently associated with greater odds of PreMetSyn in males and females. During this period, the co-occurrence of abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure was the most common comorbidity and increased from 20.6% to 30.8% in men and from 27.8% to 36.1% in women.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationally representative study indicates a rapid increase from 1999-2000 to 2017-2020 in the proportion of American adults who meet the criteria for PreMetSyn. Early identification of subjects with PreMetSyn in the U.S. is a public health priority for initiating effective strategies to prevent the development of MetSyn and its associated chronic diseases.

Body mass index as a dominant risk factor for metabolic syndrome among indonesian adults: a 6-year prospective cohort study of non-communicable diseases

BACKGROUND

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), notably cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, are largely driven by metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of critical risk factors. Despite extensive research, the progression of MetS, especially in Indonesia, has received limited attention. This research tracks adult MetS risk dynamics in a populous Bogor District cohort, providing crucial insights into its evolving nature.

METHODS

This prospective open cohort study analysed secondary data from the Special Research - Cohort Study of Non-Communicable Diseases by the Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia from 2011 to 2018. The final sample was 1,376 Indonesian adult participants, all residents of Bogor District. MetS outcome, dietary assessment, physical activity, and biomarkers were analysed every two consecutive years.

RESULTS

The risk of overweight and obese participants developing MetS was 2.4 and 4.4 times higher, respectively (95% CI: 1.176-3.320 and 3.345-5.740) than those with body mass index (BMI) in the normal range. Participants who reported less intentional physical exercise had a MetS risk 1.5 times higher (95% CI: 1.034-2.109) than those with more intentional physical exercise. The role of diet is also significant, evidenced by a 30% reduction in MetS risk for people with fat intakes in the 2nd quartile compared to the 1st quartile (95% CI: 0.505-0.972). Meanwhile, a carbohydrate intake in the 2nd quartile increased the risk of MetS 1.5 times (95% CI: 1.063-2.241) in comparison with the 1st quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

Notably, participants with underweight BMI exhibited the highest cumulative survival of MetS, while those with obese BMI recorded the lowest cumulative survival. There is an urgent need for strategic interventions to enhance the existing early detection and NCD monitoring program. This involves a targeted focus on promoting a community-based healthy lifestyle in the Bogor District. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored public health measures to address specific risk factors identified in the local context, aiming to mitigate the prevalence and impact of MetS in the population.

Hemodynamic responses to handgrip and metaboreflex activation are exaggerated in individuals with metabolic syndrome independent of resting blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose

Introduction: Prior studies report conflicting evidence regarding exercise pressor and metaboreflex responses in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Purpose: To test the hypotheses that 1) exercise pressor and metaboreflex responses are exaggerated in MetS and 2) these differences may be explained by elevated resting blood pressure. Methods: Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were evaluated in 26 participants (13 MetS) during 2 min of handgrip exercise followed by 3 min of post-exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO). Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), along with HR and a cumulative blood pressure index (BPI), were compared between groups using independent samples t-tests, and analyses of covariance were used to adjust for differences in resting blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and waist circumference (WC). Results: ΔSBP (∼78% and ∼54%), ΔMAP (∼67% and ∼55%), and BPI (∼16% and ∼20%) responses were significantly exaggerated in individuals with MetS during handgrip and PECO, respectively (all p ≤ 0.04). ΔDBP, ΔMAP, and BPI responses during handgrip remained significantly different between groups after independently covarying for resting blood pressure (p < 0.01), and after simultaneously covarying for resting blood pressure, FBG, and WC (p ≤ 0.03). Likewise, peak SBP, DBP, MAP, and BPI responses during PECO remained significantly different between groups after adjusting for resting blood pressure (p ≤ 0.03), with peak SBP, MAP, and BPI response remaining different between groups after adjusting for all three covariates simultaneously (p ≤ 0.04). Conclusion: These data suggest that exercise pressor and metaboreflex responses are significantly exaggerated in MetS independent of differences in resting blood pressure, FBG, or WC.

Rate and risk factors of metabolic components and component combinations according to hypertension status in Tibetans in a cross-sectional study

To estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and metabolic components and their associated factors and component combinations according to hypertension status in Tibetans living at high altitude. Multistage sampling of 1473 participants (799 hypertensive patients and 674 normotensive subjects). MS prevalence and the number of metabolic components ≥ 3 were significantly higher in the hypertensive than normotensives. In hypertensive patients, the most common component was central obesity and it combined with: high blood pressure, in those with 2 risk factors, plus fasting hyperglycemia, in those with 3 risk factors, and high triglyceride, in those with 4 risk factors. In normotensive subjects, the most common single component was low high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and most component combination included central obesity and hyperglycemia in those with 2 risk factors, plus high blood pressure in those with 3 risk factors, and high triglycerides in those with 4 risk factors. Body mass index and female both were associated with increased possibilities of MS in hypertensive and normotensive participants. Low incoming, and high educational levels were associated with an elevated probability of MS in normotensive Tibetans also. The priority of prevention from cardiovascular diseases by targeting metabolic components in the hypertensive was different from normotensives. Different MS components had various lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.

Serum Cystatin-C is linked to increased prevalence of diabetes and higher risk of mortality in diverse middle-aged and older adults

Objective

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (henceforth diabetes) affects roughly 35 million individuals in the US and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease. Serum Cystatin-C is used to monitor renal function and detect kidney damage. Recent research has focused on linking Cystatin-C to cardiovascular risk and disease, but most findings focus on small sample sizes and generalize poorly to diverse populations, thus limiting epidemiological inferences. The aim of this manuscript is to study the association between Cystatin-C, diabetes, and mortality and test for possible sex or racial/ethnic background modifications in these relationships.

Methods

We analyzed 8-years of biennial panel data from Health and Retirement Study participants 50-years and older who self-identified as White (unweighted N (uN) = 5,595), Black (uN = 867), or Latino (uN = 565) for a total of uN = 7,027 individuals. We modeled diabetes and death over 8-years as function of baseline Cystatin-C (log transformed) adjusting for covariates and tested modifications in associations by race/ethnic background and sex.

Results

Mean log Cystatin-C at visit 1 was 0.03±0.32 standard deviation. A 10% increase in Cystatin-C levels was associated with 13% increased relative risk of diabetes at baseline (11% and 9% by years 4 and 8). A 10% increase in Cystatin-C was highly associated with increased relative risk of death (28% and 31% by years 4 and 8). These associations were present even after adjusting for possible confounders and were not modified by sex or racial/ethnic background.

Conclusion

Despite differential risks for diabetes and mortality by racial/ethnic groups, Cystatin-C was equally predictive of these outcomes across groups. Cystatin-C dysregulations could be used as a risk indicator for diabetes and as a warning sign for accelerated risk of mortality.

Temporal changes in serum uric acid and risk for metabolic syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Studies suggested elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, it remains unclear whether baseline SUA and temporal changes predict MetS. The study aimed to investigate the association of baseline SUA and its temporal longitudinal changes with subsequent risk of MetS.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective longitudinal cohort study among 44,176 healthy participants aged 18 years and older without MetS at enrollment. The baseline levels and longitudinal changes of SUA were categorized by gender-specific quintiles. Participants were followed to identify newly developed MetS. We employed Cox model to investigate the relationship between SUA and MetS in men and women separately.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 5461 (12.36%) participants developed MetS. After adjustment of demographic, major clinical factors, a higher level of baseline SUA was associated with a significant higher risk of MetS. The corresponding HRs (95% CIs) comparing participants at extreme quintiles were 2.59 (2.32, 2.88) in men and 2.87 (2.41, 3.43) in women. Larger longitudinal absolute increase in SUA was also related to an increases risk of MetS (top vs bottom quintile, 1.70 [1.53, 1.89] in men and 1.94 [1.65, 2.28] in women), regardless the level of baseline SUA. Similarly, the HRs about SUA longitudinal percentage changes were 1.74 (1.56, 1.94) in men and 2.01 (1.69, 2.39) in women, respectively. Moreover, we observed the highest risk of MetS among participants with both higher baseline SUA and larger longitudinal increase in SUA.

CONCLUSION

Higher baseline SUA and larger temporal increase in SUA independently predicted risk of MetS, highlighting the importance of longitudinal SUA monitoring and management for primary prevention of MetS in the general population.

Social disconnection and metabolic syndrome score among Cambodian Americans with depression

AIMS

Migrants experience social disconnection and also have high risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study explored associations of social alienation, social isolation, and social support with MetS among Cambodian Americans.

METHODS

We conducted secondary data analysis on baseline assessments from a diabetes prevention trial for Cambodian Americans with depression and high risk for diabetes. Participants were aged 35-75, Cambodian or Cambodian-American, Khmer speaking, lived in Cambodia during the Pol Pot regime, lived in the northeastern U.S. at the time of study, endorsed elevated risk factors for diabetes and met criteria for depression by medication for depression and/or elevated depressive symptoms. They completed surveys and provided anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and fasting blood samples.

RESULTS

In multiple linear regressions, greater social alienation was associated with increased risk for MetS. The social alienation-MetS association was stronger in men than women. Associations were not better accounted for by crude indicators of social isolation such as marital status, living alone, and number of people in the household. Social support was not associated with MetS and did not buffer the deleterious association between social alienation and MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreasing social alienation may mitigate risk for MetS among migrant populations.

General health and mortality in Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder: A mini-review

Current knowledge on the general somatic health and causes of death in Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder is very limited. Here, we review the available literature on the topic, while highlighting strengths and weaknesses of the studies conducted to date. These previous works have suggested associations between Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder and a range of health conditions, including autoimmune disorders, common allergies and respiratory diseases, sleep difficulties, and metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. Additionally, the risk of mortality in tic disorders might be higher than that of the general population, but specific causes of death have rarely been studied, except for substance use-related deaths and suicide, which are significantly higher in individuals with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder. Many of these emerging findings require replication and extension but, taken together, they suggest that that it might be sensible to monitor the general health and suicide risk of individuals with Tourette syndrome or chronic tic disorder across the lifespan. We suggest further avenues for research on this topic.

Association of Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorder With Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disorders

Importance

There are limited data concerning the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders among individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS) or chronic tic disorder (CTD).

Objective

To investigate the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders among individuals with TS or CTD over a period of 40 years.

Design, Settings, and Participants

This longitudinal population-based cohort study included all individuals living in Sweden between January 1, 1973, and December 31, 2013. Families with clusters of full siblings discordant for TS or CTD were further identified. Data analyses were conducted from August 1, 2017, to October 11, 2018.

Exposures

Previously validated International Classification of Diseases diagnoses of TS or CTD in the Swedish National Patient Register.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Registered diagnoses of obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (including ischemic heart diseases, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular diseases and transient ischemic attack, and arteriosclerosis).

Results

Of the 14 045 026 individuals in the cohort, 7804 individuals (5964 males [76.4%]; median age at first diagnosis, 13.3 years [interquartile range, 9.9-21.3 years]) had a registered diagnosis of TS or CTD in specialist care. Of 2 675 482 families with at least 2 singleton full siblings, 5141 families included siblings who were discordant for these disorders. Individuals with TS or CTD had a higher risk of any metabolic or cardiovascular disorders compared with the general population (hazard ratio adjusted by sex and birth year [aHR], 1.99; 95% CI, 1.90-2.09) and sibling controls (aHR for any disorder, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.24-1.51). Specifically, individuals with TS or CTD had higher risks for obesity (aHR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.47-3.09), type 2 diabetes (aHR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.42-1.96), and circulatory system diseases (aHR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.67-1.86). The risk of any cardiometabolic disorder was significantly greater in males than in females (aHR, 2.13; 95% CI, 2.01-2.26 vs aHR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.64-1.96), as was the risk of obesity (aHR, 3.24; 95% CI, 2.83-3.70 vs aHR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.59-2.44). The risks were already evident from childhood (the groups were significantly different by age 8 years) and were significantly reduced with the exclusion of individuals with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (aHR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.42-1.62), while excluding other comorbidities did not significantly affect the results. Compared with patients with TS or CTD who were not taking antipsychotics, patients with a longer duration of antipsychotic treatment (>1 year) had significantly lower risks of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this study suggest that TS and CTD are associated with a substantial risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. The results highlight the importance of carefully monitoring cardiometabolic health in patients with TS or CTD across the lifespan, particularly in those with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Associations of Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality with Metabolic Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients: A Prospective Single-Center Study

Background and objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension, that together increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients have multiple comorbidities and many metabolic disorders, causing the frequent occurrence of metabolic syndrome. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of MetS in HD patients, and its association with all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Patients and methods: A total of 138 HD patients were included in this prospective study. We analyzed demographic, anthropometric and biochemical data. Outcome measures were all-cause and CV mortality during the three-year follow-up. Results: MetS was diagnosed in 57.24% of enrolled patients. During the 36 months of follow-up, 33 patients died. MetS patients showed a significantly higher mortality rate than non-MetS (30.4% versus 16.36%, p < 0.001). The association of different MetS components with cardiovascular mortality reached significance when a minimum of three components were present (1.81 (95% confidence interval CI = 1.21–2.33)), with a grouped increase in effect size for subjects with four or five MetS components. Subjects with MetS exhibited nearly twice as high risk for all-cause (hazard ratio HR = 1.99 (95%CI) = 1.42–2.97) and 2.5 times for CV (HR = 2.51 (95%CI) = 1.25–3.83) mortality compared with those without MetS, after adjustment for age, gender, and cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that MetS is widespread in HD patients. In future, the focus must be on an active screening approach, and treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors, aiming to reduce mortality.

Metabolic Syndrome and Mortality in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A 5-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Background/Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been widely proved as a predictor of cardiovascular disease, all-cause, and cardiovascular mortality in general population. But its effects on mortality and technique failure have not been well illustrated in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We aimed to investigate the association of MS and clinical outcomes in Chinese continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) patients. Methods: A single-center, prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in CAPD patients enrolled from September 1 to December 31, 2011, and followed up until December 31, 2016. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and anthropological data were collected. The relationships between MS and mortality and technique failure were assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox Regression Survival Functions. Results: A total of 511 patients were enrolled. The baseline mean age was 48.4 ± 14.4 years, 282 patients (55.2%) were male, and 130 patients (25.4%) were diabetic. In total, 213 patients (41.7%) met the diagnostic criterion of MS. During a median of 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.3–5.3 years) follow-up period, 114 patients died, of whom, 65 patients (48%) died in MS group versus 49 patients (30%) in non-MS group. Patients who died tended to be older, higher in inflammation markers and with poorer nutritional state. Kaplan-Meier Survival Functions found patients with MS had a significant rising of all-cause mortality (log-rank test = 12.811, p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (log-rank test = 14.529, p < 0.001) in all patients, and a significant rising of cardiovascular mortality (log-rank test = 4.486, p = 0.034) in non-diabetic patients. After adjusting for confounders, Cox Regression showed that MS was significantly associated with higher cardiovascular mortality in all patients (hazard ratio [HR] 2.21, 95% CI 1.12–4.36, p = 0.022) and in non-diabetic patients (HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.07–6.35, p = 0.036), but it has no significant effect on technique failure. Conclusion: In CAPD patients, MS predicted mortality, especially cardiovascular mortality. No relationship was found between MS and technique survival.

The human microbiota is associated with cardiometabolic risk across the epidemiologic transition

Oral and fecal microbial biomarkers have previously been associated with cardiometabolic (CM) risk, however, no comprehensive attempt has been made to explore this association in minority populations or across different geographic regions. We characterized gut- and oral-associated microbiota and CM risk in 655 participants of African-origin, aged 25-45, from Ghana, South Africa, Jamaica, and the United States (US). CM risk was classified using the CM risk cut-points for elevated waist circumference, elevated blood pressure and elevated fasted blood glucose, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and elevated triglycerides. Gut-associated bacterial alpha diversity negatively correlated with elevated blood pressure and elevated fasted blood glucose. Similarly, gut bacterial beta diversity was also significantly differentiated by waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceridemia and HDL-cholesterolemia. Notably, differences in inter- and intra-personal gut microbial diversity were geographic-region specific. Participants meeting the cut-points for 3 out of the 5 CM risk factors were significantly more enriched with Lachnospiraceae, and were significantly depleted of Clostridiaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Prevotella. The predicted relative proportions of the genes involved in the pathways for lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and butyrate synthesis were also significantly differentiated by the CM risk phenotype, whereby genes involved in the butyrate synthesis via lysine, glutarate and 4-aminobutyrate/succinate pathways and LPS synthesis pathway were enriched in participants with greater CM risk. Furthermore, inter-individual oral microbiota diversity was also significantly associated with the CM risk factors, and oral-associated Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Veillonella were enriched in participants with 3 out of the 5 CM risk factors. We demonstrate that in a diverse cohort of African-origin adults, CM risk is significantly associated with reduced microbial diversity, and the enrichment of specific bacterial taxa and predicted functional traits in both gut and oral environments. As well as providing new insights into the associations between the gut and oral microbiota and CM risk, this study also highlights the potential for novel therapeutic discoveries which target the oral and gut microbiota in CM risk.

Age- and sex- specific all-cause mortality risk greatest in metabolic syndrome combinations with elevated blood pressure from 7 U.S. cohorts

BACKGROUND

The association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and all-cause mortality is well established but it is unclear if there are differences in mortality risk among the 32 possible MetS combinations. Hence, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between different MetS combinations and its individual components with all-cause mortality, and to examine differences in the association by age and sex.

METHODS

A merged sample of 82,717 adults from 7 U.S. cohorts was used.

RESULTS

In our sample, MetS was present in 32% of men, 34% of women, 28% of younger adults (18-65 years) and 62% of older adults (>65 years) with 14,989 deaths over 14.6 ± 7.4 years of follow-up. Risk of all-cause mortality was higher in younger individuals with a greater number of MetS factors present, but in older adults having all 5 MetS factors was the only combination significantly associated with mortality. Regardless of age or sex, elevated blood pressure was the MetS factor most consistently present in MetS combinations that were significantly and most strongly associated with mortality. In fact, elevated blood pressure in the absence of other risk factors was significantly associated with mortality in men (HR, 95% CI = 1.56, 1.33-1.84), women (HR = 1.62, 1.44-1.81) and younger adults (HR = 1.61, 1.45-1.79). Conversely, waist circumference, glucose and triglycerides in isolation were not associated with mortality (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

In a large U.S. population, different combinations of MetS components vary substantially in their associations with all-cause mortality. Men, women and younger individuals with MetS combinations including elevated blood pressure had stronger associations with greater mortality risk, with minimal associations between MetS and mortality risk in older adults. Thus, we suggest that future algorithms may wish to consider differential weighting of these common metabolic risk factors, particularly in younger populations.

Diets high in vegetables, fruits, cereals, and tubers as a protective factor for metabolic syndrome in bank employees

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing, and its development may be related to westernized diets and working conditions.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of dietary patterns in bank employees with the presence of MetS, considering sociodemographic and behavioral factors as well as laboratory tests.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 515 bankers. Sociodemographic, occupational, behavioral, and food consumption data were collected. Dietary patterns were determined by principal component analysis with orthogonal varimax rotation.

RESULTS

The dietary pattern of vegetables, fruits, cereals, and tubers was correlated with the presence of MetS and with waist circumference measurements and triglyceride levels. Individuals in the third and fifth quintiles of the pattern "vegetables, fruits, cereals, and tubers" presented with 3.28 and 2.24 times less chances of MetS when compared to individuals in the first quintile of this dietary pattern (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.13-0.67, and OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.92, respectively). Subjects over 45 years of age were almost twice as likely to develop MetS (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01-3.77).

CONCLUSION

Healthy eating represented by the dietary pattern "vegetables, fruits, cereals, and tubers" was associated with better health among bank employees, especially when evaluating competing metabolic complications such as MetS.

Association between high-fasting insulin levels and metabolic syndrome in non-diabetic middle-aged and elderly populations: a community-based study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the association between fasting insulin (FI) levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in non-diabetic middle-aged and elderly adults in a community in Taiwan.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study.

SETTING

Community-based investigation in Guishan township of northern Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

Our study included adults aged 50 years and above during community health examinations between January and October 2014. People with diabetes mellitus were excluded. A total of 321 people were enrolled.

OUTCOME MEASURES

We divided participants according to tertiles of FI as low, medium and high levels. Pearson correlation was assessed between insulin level and each of the diagnostic components of metabolic syndrome (MetS-DCs) with adjustment of age. The prevalence of MetS-DCs based on tertiles of FI were studied and analysed by Cochran-Armitage trend test. The risk for prevalence of MetS in the middle and high insulin group as compared with the low insulin group were assessed by multivariate logistic regression with adjustments for age, gender, smoking, body mass index (BMI), hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. Youden Index was performed for the optimised cut-off value.

RESULTS

Our results showed positive correlation of FI level with systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose and triglyceride levels, while negative correlation was shown with high-density lipoprotein (P<0.001). The prevalence of each MetS-DCs increased as a trend while FI levels increased (P<0.001). OR (95% CI) of MetS was 5.04 (2.15 to 11.81) for high insulin groups compared with the low insulin group after adjusting confounders (P<0.001). Area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.78, and cut-off value 7.35 μU/mL for FI was obtained (sensitivity: 0.69; specificity: 0.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Middle-aged and elderly non-diabetic people with increased FI are associated with a higher prevalence of MetS in the community in Taiwan. Furthermore, FI is an independent risk factor of MetS in this study population.

Effect of dietary habits on the risk of metabolic syndrome: Yazd Healthy Heart Project

Objective

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Dietary habits are among the most important risk factors for MetS. The current study aimed at assessing the effect of dietary habits on the risk of MetS in a 10-year follow-up study in central Iran.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Yazd, Iran.

Subjects

Participants aged 20–74 years without any history of MetS, who were originally recruited for Yazd Healthy Heart Project (YHHP) during 2005–2006, were revisited during 2015–2016. At phase I of YHHP, demographic data, anthropometric measurements, five components of MetS, biochemical tests and dietary habits were evaluated; and the same data were collected in phase II.

Results

A total of 1092 participants were eligible to be included in the present study. After follow-up, the 10-year cumulative incidence of MetS was 56·1 %. After adjustment for potential confounders, increased risk of MetS (hazard ratio; 95 % CI) was found in those who did not try to control their body weight (1·57; 1·06, 2·35), did not usually eat salad (1·91; 1·22, 3·00) and added salt to their food (1·57, 1·06, 2·33). These associations were stronger in men than in the total population after subgroup analysis, but were not present in women.

Conclusions

Dietary habits affect the risk of MetS in the Iranian population. Lifestyle interventions are needed to improve dietary habits to reduce the risk of MetS. Future studies are highly recommended to confirm our results in other populations.

Cerebral microvascular dysfunction in metabolic syndrome is exacerbated by ischemia-reperfusion injury

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases, including cerebral ischemia. Microvascular dysfunction is an important feature underlying the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impacts of ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury on the cerebral microvascular function of rats with high-fat diet-induced MetS.

Results

We examined Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal diet (CTL) for 20 weeks underwent 30 min of bilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by 1 h of reperfusion (IR) or sham surgery. Microvascular blood flow was evaluated on the parietal cortex surface through a cranial window by laser speckle contrast imaging, functional capillary density, endothelial function and endothelial–leukocyte interactions by intravital videomicroscopy. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by TBARs analysis, the expression of oxidative enzymes and inflammatory markers in the brain tissue was analyzed by real-time PCR. The cerebral IR in MetS animals induced a functional capillary rarefaction (HFD IR 117 ± 17 vs. CTL IR 224 ± 35 capillary/mm²; p < 0.05), blunted the endothelial response to acetylcholine (HFD IR −16.93% vs. CTL IR 16.19% from baseline inner diameter p < 0.05) and increased the endothelial–leukocyte interactions in the venules in the brain. The impact of ischemia on the cerebral microvascular blood flow was worsened in MetS animals, with a marked reduction of cerebral blood flow, exposing brain tissue to a higher state of hypoxia.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that during ischemia and reperfusion, animals with MetS are more susceptible to alterations in the cerebral microcirculation involving endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress events.