OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its associations with other metabolic disorders and cardiovascular changes in health examination population in Beijing.

METHODSTotally, 10,916 individuals who received health examination in Health Examination Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled. The height, weight, blood pressure, serum levels of triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and fasting blood glucose were recorded. MS was diagnosed based on the working criteria of Chinese Diabetes Society 2004 (CDS2004). Meanwhile, other metabolic disorders, including fatty liver and hyperuricemia, were recorded. The cardiovascular changes were reflected by the reports of electrocardiogram (ECG) ST-T changes and atherosclerosis of retinal arteries.

RESULTSThe overall prevalence rate of MS was 6.1% (666/10,916) in the population. The prevalence rate of MS in male was much higher than that in female (9.0% vs. 2.7%, P=0.000). For individuals with MS, the prevalence rates of fatty liver and hyperuricemia were significantly higher than those without MS, respectively (70.4% vs. 35.4%, P=0.000; 29.9% vs. 17.7%, P=0.000). As for cardiovascular changes, the prevalence rates of ECG ST-T changes and atherosclerosis of retinal arteries were significantly higher in individuals with MS than those without MS, respectively (13.8% vs. 11.7%, P=0.012; 12.0% vs. 6.8%, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of MS in Beijing population is high. The individuals with MS have a higher risk for other metabolic disorders and cardiovascular changes.