The impact of socioeconomic status on the incidence of metabolic syndrome in a Taiwanese health screening population

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a 5-year follow-up adult population in Taiwan who were examined at the Major Health Screening Center, and to assess possible socioeconomic determinants of the syndrome in this sample.

Methods: The longitudinal study included 9,389 adults, aged 35-74 years, who visited the Major Health Screening Center from 1998-2002, and were followed up for 5 years.

Results: The 5-year cumulative incidence of MS in this sample was 11.37%, and the weighted incidence was 12.46%; 14.95% for men and 9.89% for women, respectively. After adjustment for behavioral and habits, family history, gender and age, education level was associated with the incidence of MS. With middle school and lower as a baseline, the incidence of MS for high school, junior college, and college and above was OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-1.00; OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.62-1.03 and OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.50-0.83, respectively.

Conclusions: The standardized cumulative incidence of MS was 12.46%. Lower education level was an important socioeconomic determinant of MS in women.