PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN ADULT POPULATION

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a constellation of metabolic abnormalities that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and all-cause mortality. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome in an adult population and identify associated risk factors. A total of 450 participants aged 30-70 years were recruited from primary healthcare centers and underwent comprehensive clinical and biochemical evaluation. MetS was diagnosed according to the harmonized criteria proposed by the International Diabetes Federation. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 34.7% (156/450), with significantly higher rates observed in participants aged ≥50 years (48.3% vs. 21.2%, p<0.001), females (38.2% vs. 31.1%, p=0.045), and those with sedentary lifestyle (42.8% vs. 23.6%, p<0.001). The most common components were abdominal obesity (68.6%), elevated triglycerides (52.4%), and reduced HDL-cholesterol (47.8%). Participants with MetS demonstrated significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (median 3.8 mg/L vs. 1.2 mg/L, p<0.001) and insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR (median 4.2 vs. 1.8, p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age ≥50 years (OR 3.24, 95% CI 2.12-4.95), physical inactivity (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.84-3.88), family history of diabetes (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.45-3.12), and current smoking (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.21-2.63) as independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this population underscores the urgent need for targeted preventive interventions focusing on lifestyle modification, early detection, and comprehensive management strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular and metabolic complications.