ISSN: 2161-1017
Hana Matějovská Kubešová, Jan Matějovský, Igor Bychler, Zdenka Čejglová, František Dvorský, Ivan Leixner, Marie Navrátilová, Pavel Tomeček and Hana Meluzínová
This paper presents an overview of the definitions of metabolic syndrome and the criteria used to determine this diagnosis. It discusses the pathological-physiological aspects of the syndrome´s individual components – insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherogenic hyperlipidemia, as well as the mutual relationship between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome. The paper also includes the authors´ original results- a study of the incidence of metabolic syndrome among community dwelling seniors. In South Moravia, 147 seniors were examined in cooperation with general practitioners and the Geriatrics Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and General Practice, Medical Faculty of Masaryk University and Faculty Hospital Brno. The criteria of metabolic syndrome diagnosis as per the International Diabetes Federation definition were met by 23 clients i.e. 15.7% of the sample studied. A considerable section of the sample, though, met three of the criteria- 18 clients, 12.1%. It was determined that the incidence of metabolic syndrome did not correlate significantly with age - r = - 0.10, p>0.05 - i.e. there was rather a trend towards lower incidence with advancing age. The incidence of metabolic syndrome appeared to have a significantly negative correlation with cognitive performance tested by Mini Mental State Examination - r= -0.44 and self-sufficiency tested by ADL (activities of daily living) - r=-0.44. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome occurs in approx. 20-40% of older patients depending on the clinical criteria applied. The incidence of metabolic syndrome in the older population has a significantly negative effect on cognitive functions and the self-sufficiency of older patients as well as on the incidence of depression.