Poster Presentation ESA-SRB-ANZBMS 2024 in conjunction with ENSA

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis (#549)

Maleesa Pathirana 1 2 3 , Adeel Khoja 3 4 , Melanie Wittwer 2 , Katie Lowe 2 , Dylan Fisher 3 , Sahil Kharwadkar 3 , Cicilia Gomes 3 , Tharushi Gamage 3 , Elise Toyer 3 , Stevie Young 3 , Margaret Arstall 2 3 , Prabha Andraweera 1 2 3 , Aasiya Mohebi 1 3
  1. Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Department of Cardiology, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  4. Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors that increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The prevalence of MetS and individual components across pregnancy has not been reviewed in the literature. This research was conducted to identify the prevalence of MetS and its components among pregnant women.

Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023460729). Quality assessment was performed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist. The study selection, data extraction and data analyses were performed in accordance with the MOOSE guidelines.

Results: The prevalence of MetS among pregnant women was 16.3%, (n = 3946). The prevalences for individual MetS components were: low HDL, 12.3% (n = 1108); high fasting glucose, 16.2% (n = 2333); high triglycerides, 48.5% (n = 2880); obesity, 42.7% (n=5162) and high blood pressure 37.7% (n = 828). According to the definitions used to diagnose MetS, the prevalences were 18.2% according to the World Health Organization, 15.0% according to the International Diabetes Federation and 17.2% according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. When stratified by gestational age at assessment, the prevalence of MetS was 9.9% for assessments performed before 16 weeks’ and 24.1% for assessments performed after 20 weeks of gestation.

Conclusion: This review demonstrates that MetS is detected in approximately one fifth of pregnant women. Screening for MetS and its components during pregnancy may help identify women at risk for future cardiovascular disease.