Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and prediction of diabetes using IDF versus ATPIII criteria in a Middle East population

This study investigates the prevalence and predictive value of metabolic syndrome in Abu Dhabi, using data from the population-based, programme, ‘Weqaya’. The Weqaya screen included family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD risk factors, random blood glucose (RBG) and HbA1c. Those not previously diabetic but at high risk of diabetes (RBG ≥ 11.1 mmol/l or HbA1c ≥ 6.1%) and randomly selected normal subjects were followed-up with fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), HbA1c and fasting triglycerides. In 760 subjects, 325 (42.8%) were male with a mean age of 41.9 years (SD 13.8). Using World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria, 149 (20.2%) were newly diagnosed diabetics. Using International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) criteria, metabolic syndrome was present in 29.0% vs. 31.5% of non-diabetics, 63.4% vs. 64.2% with impaired glucose handling and 78.6% vs. 79.8% with new-onset diabetes using OGTT (P < .001). IDF criteria better predicted pre-diabetes and diabetes (OR 3.4 P < .001; OR 6.4 P < .001, respectively); ATPIII criteria better predicted high CVD risk scores (OR 13.6 P < .001). Whilst IDF and APTIII definitions provide similar prevalence rates, they differentially predict prediabetes, diabetes and CVD. This ongoing study will enable the longitudinal investigation of the development of diabetes and cardiovascular events in this population.