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Metabolic syndrome and quality of life in the elderly: age and gender differences

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Abstract

Purpose

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent in Western older populations. MetS is an intriguing entity, because it includes potentially reversible risk factors. Some studies have suggested an inverse correlation between MetS and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but data regarding older subjects are scanty and conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess the association between HRQoL and MetS in older, unselected community-dwelling subjects.

Methods

We analyzed data of 356 subjects aged 75+ living in Tuscania (Italy). HRQoL was assessed using the Health Utilities Index, Mark 3. Diagnosis of MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program’s ATP-III criteria.

Results

MetS was reported by 137 (38%) participants. According to linear regression analysis, MetS was associated with significantly better HRQoL in men (B = 0.19 95% CI = 0.06–0.32; p = 0.006), but not in women. Also, when the regression model was analyzed in men, MetS was associated with better HRQoL (B = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.01–0.32; p = 0.035) only among participants aged 80+. No significant associations were found in men between HRQoL and any of the single components of MetS.

Conclusions

MetS is not associated with worse HRQoL among community-dwelling elderly; it is associated with significantly better HRQoL among the oldest men.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported as a “targeted project” (SS9.4.2) by the Italian Ministry of Health. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, L.go F. Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Alice Laudisio, Emanuele Marzetti, Livia Antonica, Francesco Pagano, Davide L. Vetrano, Roberto Bernabei & Giuseppe Zuccalà

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  1. Alice Laudisio
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  2. Emanuele Marzetti
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  3. Livia Antonica
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  4. Francesco Pagano
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  5. Davide L. Vetrano
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  6. Roberto Bernabei
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  7. Giuseppe Zuccalà
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Correspondence to Alice Laudisio.

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Laudisio, A., Marzetti, E., Antonica, L. et al. Metabolic syndrome and quality of life in the elderly: age and gender differences. Eur J Nutr 52, 307–316 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0337-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0337-1

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