S metabolico

Abstract
Objective: Although the information on metabolic syndrome is
overwhelming, reports regarding workers are scarce, especially
those evaluating cardiovascular disease. Using biochemical markers,
we investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and
cardiovascular risk in nurses at University Hospital, Mexico City.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study; 78% (n = 479) of
nursesfrom our hospital participated. Anthropometric, diet, lipid
and lipoprotein data, and ultrasensitive measures of C-reactive
protein were obtained. Metabolic syndrome was assessed according
to the ATP III criteria. Risk of cardiovascular disease was determined
by C-reactive protein levels and low-density lipoprotein/
high-density lipoprotein and cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein
ratios.Results: Among 370 participating nurses, the prevalence
of metabolic syndrome was 12.4%. The prevalence of BMI ≥ 27
was 82.6% in those with metabolic syndrome, and 28.1% in those
without metabolic syndrome (P < 0.05), and the prevalence of
BMI ≥ 30 was 69.6% in those with metabolic syndrome and 13.3%
in those without metabolic syndrome (P < 0.05). High levels of Creactive
protein (> 3mg/L) were observed in 61% of nurses with
metabolic syndrome and 27% of those without metabolic syndrome
(P < 0.05). Subjects with metabolic syndrome more commonly
had a moderate or high risk of cardiovascular disease, according
to cholesterol/lipids ratios. Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic
syndrome was similar to that in the general population.
However, a high prevalence ofoverweight and obesity among
nurses with metabolic syndrome could be a determinant of a future
cardiovascular disease.
Key words: Metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, risk factor,
nurses, female.
The earliest description of the phenotypic characteristics
of metabolic syndrome (MS), in association with polycystic
ovary syndrome, was published in 1921 by Archard et al.1
In 1956, Vague2systematically described the features of
MS. Much information has since become available. Today,
the worldwide prevalence of MS, its relationship with other
chronic diseases,3 and high-risk populations have been
well described.
The importance of MS is increasing, especially considering
its associated comorbidities. Its reported prevalence
depends on the diagnostic criteria selected, with ageneral
prevalence of 23.7%.
This prevalence varies widely within the populations analyzed. MS was ascertained to occur in
58.3% of Mexican-American women between 40 and 74
years old,4 although the prevalence of MS in the general
Mexican population was recently estimated to be 26.6%.5
Despite the overwhelming number of publications about
MS in different populations, few reports suggest theimportance
of this entity in specific occupations. We consider
this issue a priority, particularly when the role of cardiovascular
disease in MS is assessed.6 Few articles, and those
mainly from Japan, have evaluated MS in specific groups
of workers.7,8
Because of the importance of evaluating cardiovascular
risk in health workers, we investigated the prevalence
of MS and cardiovascularrisk using biochemical markers
in nurses of the University Hospital in Mexico City.
Research design and methods
Population and sample
We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Medica Sur
Clinic and Foundation. This hospital mainly provides care
for middle- and high-income individuals from Mexico City
and other metropolitan areas. The study was approved by
the Human Subjects Committee at theMedica Sur Clinic
and Foundation as conforming to the ethical guidelines of
the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki, and written informed
consent was obtained from all participants before entry.
All information obtained was analyzed by the researchers;
all data were confidential, and were not available to the
subjects’ employers. All nurses (n = 485) were invited to
participate in the study....