The prevalence and level of awareness for metabolic syndrome among primary health care professionals in the Southeastern Anatolia

Abstract

Aim: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important health problem of the modern age. It is a group of risk factors for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease with unclear etiopathogenesis. Our aim in this study is to find the frequency and awareness level of metabolic syndrome in primary health care professionals in order to achieve success in early diagnosis and management.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in primary health care professionals in eight city centers of Southeastern Anatolia. All participants gave written consent. They were examined for MetS using 2006 criteria of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and they completed a questionnaire for awareness. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 21.0 software (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA, version 21.0) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Of 493 participants, 304 (%61.7) were women and 189 (%38.3) were men and the mean age was 34.60±8.57 years. Of participants, 390 gave serum samples, 173 (%35.2) stated that they did not know their body mass indexes (BMI), 115 (%23.3) declared that they have never measured their waist circumference, 92 (%46.9) of 196 physicians stated that they have no post-graduate training about MetS, 168 (%85.7) stated that they do not know the formula of HOMAIR (Homeostatic Model Assessment - Insulin Resistance). MetS was detected in 76 (%19.5) out of 390 participants. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was %39,4 in men while it was %8.7 in women. The mean age of participants with MetS was 40.28±8.70 years (35.60±1.67 in women, 42.20±1.15 in men). MetS was found to be four-times more common in men than in women (OR=3.86 and p<0.001). Depending on BMI value of > 30, MetS was found to be three-times more common in those with BMI value of >30 (OR=3.00 and p=0.007).

Conclusion: The level of awareness for MetS among primary health care professionals should be improved. Every indivi-dual should be informed, examined and managed for MetS and obesity in primary care. Health Ministry, increasing the training program in our region and across Turkey or increasing the participation in training program organized by the Ministry will raise awareness about the metabolic syndrome.