Metabolic Syndrome Mortality in a Population-Based Cohort Study: Jichi Medical School (JMS) Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is known to increase morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Expert Panel III in 2001 (revised in 2005) and the Japanese definition of metabolic syndrome were launched in 2005. No study regarding the association between metabolic syndrome by Japanese definition and mortality has been performed. The aim of this study was to clarify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its effects to mortality in a population-based cohort study. METHODS: A total of 2176 subjects who satisfied the necessary criteria for metabolic syndrome were examined between 1992 and 1995 as a part of Jichi Medical School Cohort Study by Japanese definition. Cox's proportional hazard models were used to analyze the association of metabolic syndrome with mortality. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 9.0% in males and 1.7% in females. There were 17 deaths (14 males), including 6 cardiovascular deaths (5 males), during a 12.5-year follow-up period among metabolic syndrome subjects. After adjusting for age, smoking status, and alcohol drinking status, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for all-cause mortality was 1.13 (0.64-1.98) in males and 1.31 (0.41-4.18) in females, and HR for cardiovascular mortality was 1.84 (0.68-4.96) in males, and 1.31 (0.17-9.96) in females. CONCLUSION: No statistical significant relationship between metabolic syndrome by Japanese definition and all-cause mortality was observed in a population-based cohort study.