Prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in climacteric women

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with sociodemographic, behavioral, reproductive and clinical factors in climacteric women. Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study with probabilistic cluster sampling. The study included 874 women, aged between 40 and 65 years, registered in 73 Family Health Strategy units in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were obtained through questionnaires, anthropometric evaluation and blood collection. For statistical analysis, the hierarchical Poisson regression model was adopted. Results: A significant association of metabolic syndrome was evidenced with the following variables at distal level: age group 46 to 51 years (PR=1.25; p=0.009) and 52 to 65 years (PR=1.39; p<0.001) and schooling/elementary school (PR=1.14; p=0.033). After adjusting sociodemographic factors, a positive association with metabolic syndrome was observed in women who reported moderate or severe climacteric symptoms (PR=1.12; p=0.028). At the proximal level, the presence of gout was positively associated with metabolic syndrome (PR=1.20; p=0.049). Conclusions: Older women with low level of schooling, moderate to severe climacteric symptoms and with gout disease showed a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the climacteric.