Hidden morbidity of metabolic syndrome in adult patients of a Family Doctor’s Office

Abstract

Background: metabolic syndrome (MS) has become established in the medical world in spite of not being a completed concept. The combination of genetic and environmental factors associated with lifestyle can lead to the onset of an association of health problems, having insulin resistance as a fundamental pathogenic component.

Objective: to describe the hidden morbidity of metabolic syndrome in adult patients of Doctor’s Office No. 37 of the health district of "Manuel Fajardo Rivero" Teaching Polyclinic of Las Tunas, from May through December, 2015.

Methods: an observational, analytic and cross-sectional study was carried out about the hidden morbidity of metabolic syndrome in adult patients of the health district and period herein mentioned. The study population was made up of the 160 patients with clinical manifestations associated with metabolic syndrome.

Results: the syndrome was most frequently diagnosed in female patients between 40 and 59 years of age, with a prevalence of systolic arterial hypertension. The women had a higher body mass index and blood glucose, with a lesser abdominal girth and alterations in the lipidic profile. They all practiced a slight physical activity. The incidence varied according to the definition used, being lesser when applying the diagnostic criteria of the III Panel on the Treatment of the Elderly of the National Educational Program on Cholesterol with regard to the International Federation of Diabetes.

Conclusions: the hidden morbidity of metabolic syndrome was described in the study sample. Systolic arterial hypertension and high blood glucose levels prevailed.