Background/Aim. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic and hemodynamic disorders that increase the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this
study was to determine the prevalence of MS and its
components in adult population of Banja Luka and association with sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods. A total of 685 participants (348 men and 337
women), aged 18 years and over, were analyzed. The
diagnosis of the MS was based on definition set by the
International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Results. The
prevalence of the MS was high (37.5%), slightly higher
in women (38.3%) than in men (36.8%), but without
statistically significant difference (p = 0.686). Prevalence
of each individual component of the MS in the study
group was over 30% (systolic blood pressure ≥ 130
mmHg – 42.0%; diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85 mmHg –
31.0%; triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L – 36.1%; high
density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ˂ 1.03 for men
and ˂ 1.29 for women – 31.2%; glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L –
32.8%; central obesity ≥ 94 cm male and ≥ 80 cm female – 62.6%). The prevalence of the MS was not
associated with gender, but with age. A number of
participants increased with incresed age in the group
with the MS with statistically significant difference
compared to the group without the MS. The study
showed an association between level of education and
the MS. Low level of education was associated with the
appearance of the MS with statistically significant
differences (df = 3; p = 0.013). Association between
level of education and the MS was shown in women (df
= 3; p = 0.000), but not in men (df = 3; p = 0.883). Retirees and housewives were significantly present in the group with the MS,
students and unemployed in the group without the MS, while employed
participants showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The
MS was diagnosed in over one-third of adults in Banja Luka. Prevalence of
MS was not associated with gender, but it was associated with age, level of
education as well as with some categories of employment.
