Metabolic Syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes from the Punta Gorda clinic, Belize. August–November, 2014

Abstract

Introduction Metabolic Syndrome is a topic of current debate, as it is related to the diseases that cause the highest mortality worldwide and whose incidence is increasing. Objective: To characterize patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in the Punta Gorda area. Material and method A descriptive, prospective study of metabolic syndrome was carried out in patients with type 2 diabetes from the Punta Gorda PCP health area, Belize during the period from August to November 2014 with a universe of 278 patients. The variables studied included age, sex, ethnic group and history of hypotensive and/or antilipemic treatment. Those with at least three of the established criteria for metabolic syndrome were selected (n=112). Results and conclusions Of 278 diabetic patients, 112 were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (51.14%), which demonstrates its high frequency. There was a predominance in the female sex (59.82%) and in the age groups of 60-69 and 50-59 years (18.75% and 14.28%, respectively). There was a predominance of the Garifuna ethnic group (37.5%), followed by the Creole (23.21%) and the Mayan (16.07%). The factors most associated were blood pressure levels greater than or equal to 130/85mmHg or hypotensive treatment (70.53%), followed by the size of the abdominal circumference (52.67%). The most notable result was the positive modification observed at 3 months of follow-up in the reduction of triglycerides to less than 150 mg/dl in patients without prior treatment in 29.54% of cases.