[Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome: comparison between ATPIII and IDF criteria in a feminine population with severe obesity].

INTRODUCTION

The metabolic syndrome (MS) consists of the conjoint presence of risk factors for coronary. Several study groups have developed diagnostic criteria for MS, standing out those from the "Adult Treatment Panel III" (ATPIII), due to their wide utilization. Recently, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) developed new diagnostic criteria for MS.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of MS in a group of women with severe obesity. To evaluate the prevalence of each one of the diagnostic criteria for MS. To compare the results obtained with the utilization of the ATPIII and the IDF criteria. To relate the results with the patients' age and Body Mass Index (BMI).

SAMPLE AND METHODS

We evaluated 128 women (mean age = 38 years, sd = 11) with BMI equal to or higher than 35.0 kg/m2 (mean BMI = 46.5 kg/m2, sd = 6.5) on anthropometric measures (weight, height and waist circumference), analytically (fasting serum levels of triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and glucose), being also registered the values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and age.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MS in our sample following the ATPIII and the IDF criteria was, respectively, of 66.4% e 70.3%. The most frequently filled in criteria are those referring to waist circumference (ATPIII: 99.2%; IDF: 100%), blood pressure (77.3%) and HDL cholesterol (69.5%). Older patients and those with higher BMI fill in more criteria, being the diagnostic of MS associated to higher mean age and BMI.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of MS in women with severe obesity is high, being similar when the ATPIII or the IDF diagnostic criteria are used.