Sex differences in risk factors for metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and senior hospital employees: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

Background Several cross-sectional studies have reported risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, these studies did not focus on sex differences in middle-aged and senior populations or employ a longitudinal design. These study design differences are important, as there are sex differences in lifestyle habits associated with MetS, and middle-aged and senior individuals have increased MetS susceptibility. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether sex differences influenced MetS risk over a ten-year follow-up period among middle-aged and senior hospital employees. Methods This population-based and prospective cohort study enrolled 565 participants who did not have MetS in 2012 for a ten-year repeated-measurement analysis. Data were retrieved from the hospital’s Health Management Information System. Analyses included Student’s t tests, χ2 tests and Cox regression. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results Male middle-aged and senior hospital employees had an elevated MetS risk (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.936, p < 0.001). Men with more than four family history risk factors had an increased risk of MetS (HR = 1.969, p = 0.010). Women who worked shift duty (HR = 1.326, p = 0.020), had more than two chronic diseases (HR = 1.513, p = 0.012), had three family history risk factors (HR = 1.623, p = 0.010), or chewed betel nuts (HR = 9.710, p = 0.002) had an increased risk of MetS. Conclusions The longitudinal design of our study improves the understanding of sex differences in MetS risk factors in middle-aged and senior adults. A significantly elevated risk of MetS over the ten-year follow-up period was associated with male sex, shift work, the number of chronic diseases, the number of family history risk factors, and betel nut chewing. Women who chewed betel nuts had an especially increased risk of MetS. Our study indicates that population-specific studies are important for the identification of subgroups susceptible to MetS and for the implementation of hospital-based strategies.

The Influence of Eating Habits on Type 2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

“…Our review showed that male gender and old age were associated with obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL, and high total cholesterol, which are risks of diabetes. Similar findings were reported by a previous cohort study in Taiwan [ 50 ].…”

Assessment of psychiatrists’ preparedness in managing disaster-related psychiatric disorders: a survey in Taiwan from post-graduate medical education perspective

“…All participants were exclusively Taiwanese, with no inclusion of a control group. Data pertaining to the general population were sourced from prior studies for subsequent discussions in both civilian ( 22 , 23 ) and military populations ( 24 – 26 ). The questionnaire collected demographic data, including gender, years of clinical experience in psychiatry, and practice facility type.…”

How do we make progress in phenotyping patients with LUT such as OAB and underactive detrusor, including using urine markers and microbiome data, in order to personalize therapy? ICI‐RS 2023: Part 1

“…The development of MetS is associated with a diet high in refined carbohydrate, sugars, and ultra processed foods, low physical activity, and a sedentary lifestyle 17–20 . Development of MetS is also dependent upon gender‐based variables and social determinants of health such as educational attainment, smoking/e‐cigarette use, work patterns and income 16,21–24 . In a dietary analysis study, the risk of OAB was doubled (RR 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82−3.36), in people reporting low physical activity, obesity, living with diabetes or consuming a diet high in carbohydrates, high in red meat and sugary drinks 25 …”