Magnitude and Management of Metabolic Syndrome in Spain in 2008-2010: The ENRICA Study

Few studies in Spain have reported the distribution of metabolic syndrome using the harmonized definition and that of premorbid metabolic syndrome, which consists of metabolic syndrome without diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease. Moreover, their regional distributions and clinical management are unknown. The present study examined the distributions and clinical management of both syndromes in Spain. This cross-sectional study was performed from 2008 to 2010 in 11 149 representative individuals of the Spanish population aged 18 years or older. Data were obtained through standardized physical examination, and analytical measurements were done in a central laboratory. The prevalences (95% confidence interval) of metabolic syndrome and premorbid metabolic syndrome were 22.7% (21.7%-23.7%) and 16.9% (16.0%-17.8%), respectively. The frequency of both syndromes increased with age and was higher in men than in women up to 65 years; above this age, the frequency was higher in women. The communities of the south of Spain and the Balearic and Canary islands had the highest prevalence of both syndromes, in some regions reaching double that of the community with the lowest prevalence. About one third of patients with premorbid metabolic syndrome reported that they had not received health recommendations to improve their lifestyles; of those that did receive advice, adherence was low, particularly for reducing weight (31.9%) and salt intake (38.3%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high in Spain and considerable geographical differences exist in its distribution. There is substantial room for improvement in the clinical management of premorbid metabolic syndrome. Pocos estudios en España han descrito la distribución del síndrome metabólico según la definición armonizada, y del síndrome metabólico premórbido, que es el síndrome metabólico sin diabetes mellitus o enfermedad cardiovascular. Además, se desconoce la distribución por comunidades autónomas y su manejo clínico. Este trabajo examina la distribución y el manejo clínico de ambos síndromes en España. Estudio transversal realizado de 2008 a 2010 sobre 11.149 personas representativas de la población española de 18 o más años. La información se obtuvo mediante examen físico estandarizado y las determinaciones analíticas se hicieron en un laboratorio central. La prevalencia (intervalo de confianza del 95%) de síndrome metabólico fue del 22,7% (21,7-23,7) y la del premórbido, el 16,9% (16,0-17,8). La frec