Syndrome X: Prevalence in a large population-based study

Much interest has been devoted to a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including impaired glucose metabolism, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides, defined as Syndrome X, and its role as a potential important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, limited information exists about the prevalence of this cluster of metabolic abnormalities in population-based studies. A large cohort of men and women (24,798 men and 20,558 women), age 20-69, participants in a series of epidcmiological investigations, were pooled. Estimates of the prevalence of Syndrome X and the individual factors comprising this cluster of metabolic abnormalities were calculated according to gender and age gronps.The majority of participants at baseline presented one or more of the metabolic abnormalities, ie, elevated blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, high blood pressure, lower levels of high density lipoproteins. However, the prevalence of the full cluster (Syndrome X) of metabolic abnormalities was low in the population as a whole, with only 2.4% of men and 3.1% of women exhibiting the full Syndrome X. These data from a large population-based epidemiological investigation indicate that the presence of a full cluster of metabolic abnormalities from Syndrome X is limited. The majority of individuals present elevation in any one or two of the metabolic abnormalities. The notion of the cluster of metabolic abnormalities (Syndrome X) should not distract our attention from established individual risk factors that have been proven to be major causes of cardiovascular death and disability in our society. ©1997, Medikal Press.