Using structural equation model to illustrate the relationship between metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular complications in Taiwan

Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2006 Aug;13(4):633-9. doi: 10.1097/01.hjr.0000230095.65062.a9.

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to perform a population-based screening programme to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the relationship between metabolic risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular complications in Taiwan.

Design: A screening programme recruited residents aged 40 years and older in Sanchih, Taipei County, Taiwan, and collected demographic data, blood and urine samples. Fasting plasma glucose level, serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. Atherosclerotic complications, including myocardial infarction, stress-positive angina, ischaemic stroke, and proteinuria were confirmed.

Methods: A structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to identify the association between metabolic abnormality and atherosclerosis.

Results: A total of 1494 subjects, 776 male and 718 female, were recruited in this study. The crude prevalence of the MetS was 19.3% for men [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.3-22.2%] and 18.7% for women (95% CI 15.6-22.0%). The presence of the MetS posed a substantial risk to microvascular complications in both sexes [odds ratio (OR) 3.29, P<0.001] and to macrovascular complications in men (OR 1.95, P=0.04) and also a trend in women (OR 2.24, P=0.089). There was a positive association between metabolic abnormality and atherosclerosis (B=0.55, P<0.001).

Conclusions: This study has found the prevalence of the MetS and the association with atherosclerotic complications in Taiwan. The SEM approach has demonstrated a positive correlation between metabolic abnormality and atherosclerosis and can be used to explore new risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Atherosclerosis / blood
  • Atherosclerosis / complications
  • Atherosclerosis / epidemiology*
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / blood
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / epidemiology*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / etiology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population
  • Sex Distribution
  • Stroke / epidemiology*
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Taiwan / epidemiology