Impacts of components of the metabolic syndrome on health status and survival in an aged population

The clinical significances of different components of the multiple metabolic syndrome were studied in a five-year follow-up study of random persons (n = 1,199) of four birth cohorts at ages 65, 75, 80, and 85 years. The subjects were examined clinically and their serum lipids, blood glucose, plasma insulin, blood pressure, and health score were determined. The health score was measured using a visual analogue scale. All subjects were followed for 5 years. Health score, diastolic blood pressure and body mass index declined over age, but serum triglycerides, and blood glucose were similar, whilst serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol increased. Among women fasting plasma insulin was lowest in the age group of 65 years. The associations of components of the multiple metabolic syndrome varied by age. In the age groups of 65 and 75 years high body mass index, plasma insulin, glucose, triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol were associated with impaired health. In the age group of 85 years high blood pressure, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were associated with good health. The baseline health score was consistently lower in the decedents than survivors of all age groups, but components of the metabolic syndrome were generally not associated with impaired survival.