Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Han and Mongolian rural population with hypertension

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the International Diabetes Federation, was compared in two rural populations with hypertension in China. A total of 6326 subjects aged >or= 35 years were included: 5043 Han and 1283 Mongolian. Metabolic syndrome was identified in 33.9% (men: 16.1%; women: 47.8%) of the Han and 37.6% (men: 14.7%; women: 55.0%) of the Mongolian populations. In men, prevalence of metabolic syndrome showed no obvious ethnicity differences; however, in women, prevalence was significantly higher in the Mongolian than in the Han population. This study showed high prevalence and ethnic differences in prevalence of metabolic syndrome in these two Chinese hypertensive populations.