Metabolic syndrome and its predictors in administrative employees of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (Rafsanjan-Iran) in 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the predictors of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) among administrative employees of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in Rafsanjan, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted from July to September 2022, involving 171 employees from the administrative departments of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Participants did not possess academic qualifications in biomedical fields but met other inclusion criteria. Data were collected on demographic information, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).Results: The mean age of the 171 employees (88 men, 51.46%) was 42.7 ± 8.2 years, with ages ranging from 25 to 64 years. MetS was identified in 12.9% (n=22) of the employees. Participants with MetS exhibited significantly higher mean values for age (p=0.005), FBS (p 0.001), TG (p 0.001), systolic BP (p=0.007), diastolic BP (p=0.002), waist circumference (p 0.001), and BMI (p 0.001) compared to those without MetS. However, no significant differences were found in serum levels of LDL-C (p=0.742), HDL-C (p=0.333), and TC (p=0.415) between the two groups. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that four variables-BMI, waist circumference, FBS, and age-were significant predictors for MetS among the study participants. Conclusion: Given the significant predictors of MetS identified in this study, it is crucial to develop and implement interventions that promote a healthy lifestyle among administrative employees at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Prioritizing strategies to reduce waist circumference and BMI, as well as controlling FBS levels, is recommended for this population.