Background and Objective: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases
the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the main aim of this study is to
explorer prevalence of it in the north of Iran with comparison of Turkman
and non-Turkman ethnic groups in 2012. Material and Methods: This is a
cross-sectional study that conducted on the 248 subjects aged 25-70 years
(Turkman=88 and non-Turkman=160). Individuals were chosen randomly
from 25 clusters. Waist circumference was measured with the subject
standing at the end of normal breathing; blood pressure was measured
in three times and 5 ml of venous blood drawn after 8-12 h fast in the
morning for laboratory test. Biochemical analysis including fasting blood
glucose, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was
assayed using a commercially kit (Pars Azmoon, Karaj, Iran). ATP-III method
and SPSS 16.0 software (Chicago II, USA) were used for diagnosis of MetS
and for statistical analyzes, respectively. P-value < 0.05 considered statistically
significant. Results: Compare to Turkman group, the mean of FBG (fasting
blood glucose), triglyceride and waist circumference are 15.9 mg/dl,
30.2 mg/dl and 6.5 cm were more in non-Turkman group, respectively
(P<0.05 for all). The Pearson’s correlation coefficient is positive between
age and MetS (r=0.287, P=0.01). Generally, MetS was common in 37.9%
of subjects and it was 14.7% in non-Turkman more than in Turkman people
(P=0.015). Prevalence rate of MetS in men and women was 29.7% and
43.5%, respectively (P=0.001). Conclusion: In the north of Iran, the prevalence
of MetS is high and it was in non-Turkman ethnic group more than in
Turkman group and in women more than in men while gender differences
only was shown in non-Turkman ethnic group.