Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran: A meta-analysis of 69 studies.

AIMS: Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The present study investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published articles in English and Persian during 2000-2016 identified using keywords of prevalence, metabolic syndrome, and Iran in the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, SID and Magiran. Random effect model used to calculate the pooled estimates. Heterogeneity of studies assessed using Q statistic, and geographical distribution of metabolic syndrome demonstrated via GIS map. Data were analyzed by STATA-11. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 30.4% (95%CI: 28.3-32.6) with no significant heterogeneity by diagnostic criteria. The lowest frequency was reported in Sistan and Baluchestan Province [18.3% (95% CI: 12.9-25.8)] compared to the highest in Bushehr [57.8% (95% CI: 41.8-80.0)]. It was significantly more prevalent in women [(34.8% (95%CI: 31.2-38.8)] compared to men [25.7% (95%CI: 23.4-28.3)] (P = 0.001)]. A significant increasing trend (P = 0.001) was observed in different age groups, as metabolic syndrome increased from 12.1% (95% CI: 9.37-15.6) in 20-29 years-old age group to 51.7% (95%CI: 47.4-56.4) in the over 60 years-old age group. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of Iranian adults have metabolic syndrome which varied by regions, age and gender. Then, appropriate intervention based on behavioral patterns of inhabitants and local conditions may help to reduce the burden of disease.