Occupation-related differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome

doi:10.2337/dc08-0431

Occupation-related differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome

Miguel Angel Sánchez-Chaparro, M.D. (miguelangelsanchez{at}ibermutuamur.es)^a,^b,
Eva Calvo-Bonacho, M.D.^a,
Arturo González-Quintela, M.D.^c,
Carlos Fernández-Labandera, M.D.^a,
Martha Cabrera, M.D.^a,
Juan Carlos Sáinz, M.D.^a,
Ana Fernández-Meseguer, M.D.^a,
José R. Banegas, M.D.^d,
Luis Miguel Ruilope, M.D.^e,
Pedro Valdivielso, M.D.^b and
Javier Román-García, M.D. on behalf of the ICARIA (Ibermutuamur CArdiovascular RIsk Assesment) Study Group^a

^aIbermutuamur (Mutua de Accidentes de Trabajo y Enfermedades Profesionales de la Seguridad Social 274), Spain
^bDepartment of Internal Medicine Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, University of Malaga, Spain
^cDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
^dDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Heath, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
^eHypertension Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Spanish working population, and determine how the prevalence varies according to occupation and gender.

Research design and methods: Cross-sectional study of 259,014 workers (mean age 36.4 years; range, 16-74 years; 72.9% males) who underwent a routine medical checkup. The ATPIII (2001) definition for metabolic syndrome was used.

Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 11.6% (95% CI 11.5-11.7) in males and 4.1% (95% CI 4.0-4.2) in females and increased with age. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varied in the different categories of occupational activity depending on the gender considered. Among females, the age-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in blue-collar than in white-collar workers, but this difference was not evident among male workers.

Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varies in the different categories of occupational activity in the Spanish working population. This variation also depends on gender.