OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the most common combination of cardiometabolic disorders among different ethnic groups of obese adolescents in Malaysia.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 335 obese adolescent boys and girls aged 12-18 years from 10 randomly selected schools was conducted. After recording blood pressure and waist circumference (WC), a fasting blood sample was obtained and analyzed for glucose and lipids. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of adolescent metabolic syndrome criteria specified by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III if three of the five risk factors--hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein C, and increased WC--were present. The prevalence among different ethnic groups was analyzed.
RESULTS: The obesity rate among adolescents was 8.4%, and nearly one-third of the obese adolescents had metabolic syndrome. More than 90% of obese adolescents had at least one metabolic abnormality. Metabolic syndrome was more prevalent among obese boys (40.2%) compared to obese girls (17%). Boys had significantly higher mean WC and triglycerides and lower HDL-C (P value 0.0001). Increased WC and triglycerides and high blood pressure comprised the most prevalent (34.3%) risk factor combination followed by WC, low HDL, and high blood pressure (22.5%). Over all, Indians had the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome (36.4%), followed by Chinese (33.8%) and Malays (27.4%). Elevated triglyceride levels were more prevalent among Chinese, hypertension among Malays, and the other three abnormalities among Indians.
CONCLUSION: Indians had the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Increased WC and triglycerides and high blood pressure comprised the most prevalent risk factor combination.
A multicentre study was conducted to assess the long term efficacy and safety of a generic atorvastatin in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolaemia. Eighty five patients who received 10mg or 20 mg of atorvastatin for 8 weeks depending on target cholesterol goal were followed up by their own physicians and had final evaluation at 52 weeks. Reduction in mean low density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) was 36.5%, 37.9% and 32.2% at weeks 4, 8 and 52 respectively. LDL-C target was maintained in 81% and 69% of patients at week 8 and 52 respectively without drug related serious adverse events. Generic atorvastatin is safe and effective in usual clinical care setting.