Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Poland based on the new 2022 definition

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors. In 2022 Polish experts proposed a new definition of MS. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of the MS based on the WOBASZ II cohort study (2013-2014) and compare it to that based on the previous definition.Material and methods: The WOBASZ II study was conducted on a sample of 6170 Polish adults. The 2022 definition of MS includes: abdominal obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose metabolism, atherogenic dyslipidemia; MS is diagnosed if abdominal obesity and at least two other factors are present. The old definition based on the 2009 Joint Interim Statement included: abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, impaired glucose metabolism, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; MS was diagnosed if at least three criteria were met.Results: The prevalence of the MS in the WOBASZ II cohort study according to the new definition was 31.7%. Compared to the previous definition the prevalence of MS decreased significantly in men (42.8% vs. 29.2%; p < 0.0001) and no change was observed in women (34.6% vs. 33.7%; p = 0.19). Due to the change in criteria prevalence of the obesity component decreased in the Polish population from 65.9% to 44.0%; p < 0.0001. Atherogenic dyslipidemia became the most prevalent component (67.6%, an increase from 42.6%; p < 0.0001). High normal blood pressure/hypertension and diabetes/pre-diabetes components were present in 60.9% and 32.6% of respondents.Conclusions: Despite that the estimate of the prevalence of MS according to the new definition is lower as compared to the previous definition, MS and its components remain widespread in the Polish population.