Sex-specific-evaluation of metabolic syndrome prevalence in Algeria: insights from the 2016–2017 non-communicable diseases risk factors survey

Abstract

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a core driver of cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, to date, gender differences in MetS prevalence and its components have not been assessed in the Algerian adult general population. This study aimed to determine the gender differences in MetS prevalence and its components, in the general population of Algeria. Secondary analysis was performed on data from the 2016–2017 Algerian non-communicable disease risk factor survey. MetS was determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. A modified Poisson regression model was used to identify the associated factors. Overall, MetS prevalence according to the ATP III and IDF criteria was 34.0% (95%CI 32.4–35.6) and 31.5% (95%CI 30.0–33.1), respectively. MetS prevalence in women and men was 39.1% (95%CI 37.0–41.3) and 29.1% (95%CI 27.2–31.2) according to the ATP III and 38.3% (95%CI 36.2–40.5) and 25.1% (95%CI [23.2–27.0]) to the IDF criteria, respectively. The most frequent triad was the clustering of abdominal obesity with low HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure among women (8.9%; 95%CI [8.0–10.0]) and low HDL cholesterol with high blood pressure and hyperglycaemia among men (5.2%; 95%CI [4.3–6.3]). Increasing age (aPR; 3.47 [2.86–4.22]), cohabitation (1.14 [1.05–1.24]), women residing in urban areas (1.13 [1.01–1.26]), men with higher educational levels (1.39 [1.14–1.70]), and men with insufficient physical activity (1.21 [1.07–1.37]) were associated with higher risk of MetS. In this population-based study, one in three Algerian adults had MetS, with comparable variation between the ATP III and IDF criteria. Key components including abdominal obesity, low HDL cholesterol, and high blood pressure, are very common, especially in women. Reinforcing interventions for weight management targeting married women living in urban areas and improving sufficient physical activity in men with higher socioeconomic status could provide maximal health gains and stem the CVD epidemic in Algeria.