Differences in MetS marker prevalence between black African and Caucasian teachers from the North West Province: Sympathetic Activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans (SABPA) Study

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence between black and Caucasian Africans using different definitions, and secondly, to determine the association between MetS, anthropometric markers and the albumin:creatinine ratio using the new joint statement criteria. This was a target population study. It included 409 urban African and Caucasian men and women (aged 25-65 years) from the North West Province, who were stratified into gender and ethnic groups. Method: We obtained anthropometric measurements, levels of microalbuminuria, and other markers of MetS (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein). Results: The joint statement criteria included more persons with MetS than the other definitions, and Africans presented with more cases of MetS than the Caucasians. The most prevalent risk factors were blood pressure among men, and waist circumference (WC) and glucose among women. African men, as a group, presented with more risk factors than the other groups. African women, although obese, seem to have few cardiovascular risk factors, while all groups presented with an unhealthy WC according to European cut-points. Multiple linear regression analysis, independent of covariates, showed that the albumin:creatinine ratio is explained only by glucose in Africans. Conclusion: African women, as a group, present with few MetS risk factors, and glucose is associated with renal function risk in Africans.

Keywords: MetS, metabolic syndrome, neck circumference, African, Caucasian, SABPA study, microalbuminuria, ethnic