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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Aug;25(4):727-750.
doi: 10.1007/s11154-024-09879-9. Epub 2024 Apr 10.

Ethnic differences in metabolic syndrome in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nicholas Kofi Adjei  1   2   3 , Florence Samkange-Zeeb  4 , Daniel Boakye  4 , Maham Saleem  4 , Lara Christianson  4 , Mihiretu M Kebede  5 , Thomas L Heise  4 , Tilman Brand  4 , Oluwaseun B Esan  6 , David C Taylor-Robinson  6 , Charles Agyemang  7 , Hajo Zeeb  4   8
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Ethnic differences in metabolic syndrome in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nicholas Kofi Adjei et al. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

This review aimed to systematically quantify the differences in Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) prevalence across various ethnic groups in high-income countries by sex, and to evaluate the overall prevalence trends from 1996 to 2022. We conducted a systematic literature review using MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on studies about MetS prevalence among ethnic groups in high-income countries. We pooled 23 studies that used NCEP-ATP III criteria and included 147,756 healthy participants aged 18 and above. We calculated pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using both fixed-effect and random-effect intercept logistic regression models. Data were analysed for 3 periods: 1996-2005, 2006-2009, and 2010-2021. The pooled prevalence of MetS in high-income countries, based on the NCEP-ATP III criteria, was 27.4% over the studied period, showing an increase from 24.2% in 1996-2005 to 31.9% in 2010-2021, with men and women having similar rates. When stratified by ethnicity and sex, ethnic minority women experienced the highest prevalence at 31.7%, while ethnic majority women had the lowest at 22.7%. Notably, MetS was more prevalent in ethnic minority women than men. Among ethnic minorities, women had a higher prevalence of MetS than men, and the difference was highest in Asians (about 15 percentage points). Among women, the prevalence of MetS was highest in Asians (41.2%) and lowest in Blacks/Africans (26.7%). Among men, it was highest in indigenous minority groups (34.3%) and lowest among in Blacks/Africans (19.8%). MetS is increasing at an alarming rate in high-income countries, particularly among ethnic minority women. The burden of MetS could be effectively reduced by tailoring interventions according to ethnic variations and risk profiles.

Keywords: Burden; Ethnicity; High-income Countries; Meta-analysis; Metabolic syndrome; Prevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram for assessment of eligible studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Prevalence of MetS overall and by year of publication
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Prevalence of MetS in majority ethnic women (A) and men (B)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Prevalence of MetS in minority women (A) and men (B)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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