PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS
Aging, Metabolic Syndrome, Nursing Homes, Institutionalized Elderly Individuals
Objective: Population aging brings with it an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, and a greater demand for nursing homes for the care of elderly individuals. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and to determine factors associated with metabolic syndrome among elderly individuals in care institutions.
Material and Methods: A transversal study was conducted with 202 elderly individuals, residing in nine nursing homes in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III. Demographic, institutional, lifestyle, and dietary factors, lipid and inflammatory biomarker profiles, and morbidities were assessed.
Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.0-36.0%). The most frequent metabolic syndrome components observed were low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (63.9%; 95% CI, 56.8-70.5%) and abdominal obesity (42.7%; 95% CI, 35.6-50.0%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was greater in elderly women, individuals with an age-adjusted institutionalization time >50%, and those with high concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: We observed a moderate prevalence of metabolic syndrome in institutionalized elderly individuals, that was associated with demographic factors, institutional care, and immunologic changes.