| Background: In the current study we aimed to evaluate the gender-specific associations between
metabolic and psychological risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Framingham Risk Score
(FRS) in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 256 patients with metabolic syndrome (157 men, 99 women), the
cardiovascular disease risk was evaluated using the FRS scoring system by a pre-defined computerized
algorithm. Psychological distress was also assessed by general health questionnaire (GHQ)-12. Evaluation
of the biochemical parameters including fasting serum glucose (FSG), lipid profile, liver enzymes and
adiponectin concentrations were also performed using the enzymatic methods.
Results: The prevalence of low, intermediate and high risk of CVD in men was significantly higher than
women (P < 0.05). Both genders in high risk of CVD had significantly higher age, systolic blood pressure
(SBP) and FSG concentrations compared with male and females in intermediate and low risk of CVD
(P < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression, being single was in the highest relationship with high psychological
distress values compared with married or divorced/separated marital status. Moreover, high
SBP and low high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were also potent determinants of high
psychological distress (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: In the current study, the prevalence of CVD risk factors were higher in men compared with
women. Moreover, higher age, SBP and FSG were potent determinants of FRS in both genders. Marital
status and serum HDL were in relation with psychological distress among patients with metabolic
syndrome. |