Prevalência da síndrome metabólica em idosos de uberaba e sua associação com marcadores bioquímicos, imunes, antropométricos e hematológicos

Abstract

The increase in life expectancy represents one of humanity's greatest achievements. However, it is often accompanied by reduced quality of life and a higher burden of chronic diseases, with a direct impact on healthcare system costs. These conditions are strongly associated with cumulative exposure to unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as inadequate diet, physical inactivity, smoking, stress, and poor sleep, which contribute to the development of chronic diseases, particularly metabolic syndrome. Conversely, the adoption of healthy practices is associated with better aging outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with immune, hematological, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters in older adults attending Primary Health Care Units in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study included 87 community-dwelling older adults, from whom blood samples were collected, and biochemical, hematological, immunological, and body composition markers were evaluated. Participants were divided according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high (44.8%), predominantly in women. Participants with metabolic syndrome showed a higher burden of comorbidities, greater medication use, higher BMI, larger waist circumference, and higher waist-to-height ratio, suggesting increased visceral adiposity. Biochemically, the metabolic syndrome group exhibited higher insulin resistance and atherogenic dyslipidemia. Uric acid levels and the uric acid/HDL ratio were higher in this group, suggesting oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk. Renal and hepatic functions did not differ between groups. Magnesium deficiency and hypoproteinemia were frequent, indicating nutritional vulnerability. Elevated C-reactive protein reflected low-grade chronic inflammation, and increased nitric oxide suggested endothelial dysfunction in the metabolic syndrome group. Hematological parameters remained within normal limits. Composite indices (TyG, AIP, VAI, LAP, and triglycerides/HDL) were effective in identifying cardiometabolic risk, whereas FIB-4 showed no differences between groups. In conclusion, metabolic syndrome was prevalent and associated with metabolic and inflammatory imbalances, reflecting a worse cardiometabolic profile linked to aging. The uric acid/HDL ratio and TyG index proved useful for risk prediction, emphasizing the importance of integrating healthy lifestyle habits with clinical interventions to promote healthy aging.