Health-related quality of life in metabolic syndrome: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005

Abstract

Aim

This study sought to assess the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population.

Methods

We analyzed data for 4463 adults, aged 30 years or older, from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005. “EuroQol 5D”, which measures two dimensions, the EuroQol 5D index score (EQ-5D) and the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), was used to evaluate HRQOL.

Results

Mean scores for the EQ-5D in both sexes and EQ-VAS in women decreased with increasing number of MS components, and women's means for both scores were significantly lower than men's. In individual domains of HRQOL, men with more MS components tended to have higher odds ratios for decreased self-care, and women had decreased mobility, according to the EQ-5D. In men, high blood pressure led to decreased EQ-5D, and in women, abdominal obesity and high blood pressure did so. Additionally, we found that taking medication had an impact on decreased HRQOL, especially in subjects with impaired fasting glucose.

Conclusions

HRQOL was negatively associated with the number of MS components and it was decreased by taking hypoglycemic medications. This association differed by gender.

Introduction

The constellation of metabolic abnormalities known as metabolic syndrome (MS), including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia [1], has been considered to be the fastest growing disease entity in the world [2]. MS is also generally said to be one of the most important public health problems worldwide because of its association with increased risks for several chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease [3], [4].

Although MS is a complex health problem that can induce impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as well as chronic disease [5], few studies have examined the association of MS with HRQOL in a representative adult population [6]. Moreover, most surveys on the relationship between MS and HRQOL are limited to Western populations and target outpatients visiting medical centers [7], [8].

Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the association of MS and HRQOL using representative Korean data taken from the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III).