Gender discrepancy of incidence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among rural Chinese from 2012–2013 to 2015–2017

BACKGROUND: We reported a relatively high rate of MetS in rural Northeast residents in 2012–2013. Many strategies like health knowledge propagation and lifestyle modification have been taken to help rural residents decrease metabolic disorders. Hence, we held the present follow-up study in order to figure the changes of metabolic parameters and the possible reasons together with the evaluation of MetS incidence and associated risk factors. METHODS: A population-based sample of 8147 rural Northeast Chinese residents aged ≥ 35 years at baseline were followed up from 2012–2013 to 2015–2017. MetS was diagnosed following the unify criteria in 2009 using the Asian specific criteria. RESULTS: Among residents with MetS at baseline, value of systolic, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-C decreased while waist circumference increased in both genders in follow-up. Discrepancy of trend in body mass index, LDL-C and estimated GFR existed between male and female. Besides, triglyceride increased, and fast glucose decreased in female only. The alterations of dietary pattern might be accountable for those changes. Among residents without MetS at baseline, the cumulative incidence of newly diagnosed MetS was 24.0% (25.8% for male; 22.3% for female). As the number of metabolic disorders increased at baseline, the incidence of MetS also increased (zero metabolic disorder: 8.3%; one metabolic disorder: 17.1%; two metabolic disorders: 35.4%). In male residents, bad living habits like smoking and drinking were associated with increasing risk of Mets while in female, higher risk of MetS was more likely relevant to dietary pattern. CONCLUSION: Metabolic parameters changes during the past years and seem to be associated with alteration of diet pattern. Incidence of MetS still high among rural Northeast Chinese. The risk factors of higher incidence of MetS show gender discrepancy which make the prophylaxis and control of MetS more effective and directive in rural residents.