Clinical Management of Metabolic Syndrome Among the Population Attending Geriatric Outpatient Clinics in Qatar

Introduction: Research on the clinical management of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among older individuals in Qatar is limited. This study aimed to determine the clinical management of MetS and associated risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to examine the risk factors for MetS (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hyperlipidemia) among patients aged ≥ 60 years who visited geriatric outpatient clinics in Rumailah Hospital, Doha, Qatar between November 1, 2016, and November 1, 2018.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 70.1 years, and 50% were male. Of the study population, 97% had MetS with a 95% confidence interval (95.3-98.7). In addition, 45.5% of the patients were obese, 97.75% had diabetes mellitus, and 98.25% had hypertension. The most commonly prescribed medications for treatment included amlodipine for hypertension, metformin for diabetes mellitus, rosuvastatin for lipid reduction, and bisoprolol for cardiovascular management.

Conclusion: This study found that MetS is common among the population attending geriatric outpatient clinics in Qatar. The majority of these individuals had high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The early identification of at-risk patients through exercise programs may also delay or reverse the risks associated with MetS. More research, especially prospective and population-based studies, is required to improve preventative efforts and optimize treatment options for metabolic syndrome in older persons in Qatar.