Metabolic syndrome in type-2 diabetics: an update on the silent epidemic

Objective To determine frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with type-2 diabetes. Methods This was a cross sectional study was conducted in Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar and during an eight months period, 200 adult type-2 diabetics were evaluated for the presence of metabolic syndrome. ATP-III criteria was used for its frequency. Result Of 200 patients, 154 (77%) had metabolic syndrome. Out of these154 patients, 92 (59.7) were female and 62 (40.2%) were male. Ninety seven (62.98%) patients were between the age group 41 to 60 years. In 68 (44.15%) patients, all the five risk factors for the metabolic syndrome were present. However, in 57 (37.01%) patients only 3 risk factors were present. Abdominal obesity was present in 80 (51.94%) female and in 43 (27.92%) male patients. However, 68 (44.15%) female and 49 (31.81%) males had low HDL levels. Fifty six (36.36%) females and 41 (26.62%) males had elevated levels of triglycerides. Hypertension was present in 82 (53.24%) females and 48 (31.16%) males. Conclusion This study showed a very high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic population. Females were more affected than males in all respects.