Beyond blood pressure: high burden of metabolic syndrome and its modifiable determinants among hypertensive patients in primary care

Md Aris, Mohd Aznan and Mohamad Wahid, Rosalya and Nasreen, Hashima E (2026) Beyond blood pressure: high burden of metabolic syndrome and its modifiable determinants among hypertensive patients in primary care. In: 28th Family Medicine Scientific Conference 2026, Pahang, Malaysia.

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Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension rarely occurs in isolation and often coexists with metabolic syndrome (MetS), increasing cardiovascular risk beyond blood pressure control. Local data in Malaysian primary care are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS and identify associated modifiable factors among hypertensive patients in Kuantan, Pahang. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 hypertensive patients attending primary health clinics. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical data were obtained using validated tools and medical records. MetS was defined using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Factors associated with MetS were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 49.5% (95% CI: 44.7–54.3). The mean age was 59.3 years, with a predominance of females (55.5%) and Malays (69.5%). Most participants were overweight or obese (88.4%), and more than half were physically inactive (57.4%). In multivariable analysis, significant predictors of MetS included higher diastolic blood pressure (AOR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.09), physical inactivity (AOR 2.77, 95% CI: 1.73–4.43), higher body mass index (AOR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08–1.23), and presence of comorbidities (AOR 2.70, 95% CI: 1.59–4.60) (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: One in two hypertensive patients met IDF criteria for metabolic syndrome, indicating a substantial cardiometabolic burden. Targeting modifiable factors, particularly obesity and physical inactivity, should be prioritised. These findings support shifting from a blood pressure–centric approach to comprehensive, patient-centred cardiometabolic risk management in primary care settings.

Item Type:	Proceeding Paper (Poster)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Metabolic syndrome, hypertension, primary health care
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC627 Specialties of Internal Medicine-Metabolic Diseases
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Community Medicine (Effective: 1st January 2011) Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Family Medicine (Effective: 1st January 2011)
Depositing User:	nur hakimah a manan
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2026 16:51
Last Update:	20 Oct 2026 16:51
Queue Number:	2026-10-Q5731
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/132107
Indexed In:	UNSPECIFIED

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