Background: The relationship between cardiovascular factors and death can vary with age, very few studies have examined metabolic syndrome in the elderly.
Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of the MS in a sample of elderly institutionalized patients (> 65 years) using ATPIII and IDF definitions.
Design: This was a cross-sectional survey covering a sample of representative of the institutionalized Spanish population aged above 65 years. The final sample study consisted of 862 patients, 556 females and 306 males. ATPIII and IDF definitions were used to classify the patients.
Results: Prevalence of MS was different according to the two definitions used. When the IDF definition was applied, total prevalence was 48.91% (CI 95%:43.47-50.25), while prevalence according to ATPIII criteria was 46.80% (CI = 43.47-50.25). a higher prevalence of MS was found in females as compared to males. Using IDF criteria, odds ratio was 1.9 (CI 95%:1.4-2.6) and 1.7 (CI 95%:1.2-2.2) according to ATPIII criteria. a steady decrease is seen in MS prevalence as the age of patients increases (the last two groups (85-94 ys and > 95 ys), both for the ATP III and the IDF definitions.
Conclusion: A higher prevalence of MS in this elderly population as compared to general population was observed. A decrease of this prevalence above 95 years was detected.