Gender differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in 50-year-old Swedish men and women with hypertension born in 1953

To investigate potential gender differences in the role of hypertension as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS) we used a random population sample of 50-year-old men (n = 595) and women (n = 667; all born in 1953) who were examined in 2003-2004. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure values were dichotomized at >= 140 mmHg and >= 90 mmHg, respectively. MetS was defined using NCEP (National Cholesterol Education Programme) and IDF (International Diabetes Federation) criteria. MetS was more prevalent in men than in women (NCEP 16% versus 10%, P = 0.003; IDF 26% versus 16%, P = 0.000) and systolic hypertension was more common in men than in women (high SBP 24% versus 18%, P = 0.003; high DBP 29% versus 24%, P = 0.074). Women with high SBP had about a seven-fold increased NCEP risk compared with normotensive women (odds ratio (OR) 6.91, confidence interval (CI)2.90-16.42), whereas high SBP in men was associated with about a threefold increased NCEP risk (OR 2.72, CI 1.69-4.38). A similar pattern was observed for the IDF criterion of MetS. All interaction terms (sex x hypertension) were significant at P<0.01. At middle age, despite that fewer women had hypertension or MetS than men, hypertension carries a relatively greater risk for MetS in women than in men. Journal of Human Hypertension (2013) 27, 56-61; doi:10.1038/jhh.2011.106; published online 1 December 2011