Incidence and Major Metabolic Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetic Out-Patients Visiting Tamale Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Abstract

The study involved 300 (92 males and 208 females) type 2 diabetic patients and was conducted at the Tamale Teaching/Regional Hospital from June 2006 to May 2007. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using the National Cholesterol Education Programme, Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) criteria. The incidence of the metabolic syndrome was 60.3 per cent in the 300 type 2 diabetic out-patients, 11.0 per cent of whom were males and 49.3 per cent females. The incidence of central obesity and hypertension was 69.6 per cent, low HDL cholesterol 58.6 per cent and hypertriglyceridaemia 56.4 per cent in the patients. The metabolic syndrome is a common finding in type 2 diabetic out-patients visiting Tamale Teaching Hospital in Ghana, especially female type 2 diabetic out-patients. Central obesity and hypertension, the major metabolic risk factors of the metabolic syndrome, should be selectively targeted for treatment and prevention of the metabolic syndrome, and, hence. for prevention of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic out-patients visiting Tamale Teaching Hospital in Ghana.