Background and objectives: Of the ever-increasing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality constitute the major health burden world-wide. Several cross-sectional studies revealed the increasing prevalenceof NCDs irrespective of cast, culture, ethnicity, socio-economic growth and geopolitical environment. Recent cross-sectional studies revealed South Asians are the most susceptible to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Few cohort studies addressed cardiometabolic morbidity and related risks, particularly in the rural population.This study was carried out to find out the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and its changes overtime in a rural cohort of Bangladesh.

Methods: The study used baseline data of a study conducted in 2011- 2013 on prevalence of coronary artery disease among a cohort living in 16 villages. During 2021-2023, the baseline data collected in 2011-2013 were retrieved and the participants were searched and categorized into a) physically present, b) died and c) missing. Those who were present were requested to volunteer for re-investigations. Briefly the investigations included interviewing on social, family, personal and clinical history, anthropometry, blood pressure measurement, blood biochemistry and electrocardiography (ECG).

Results: A total of 3928 people participated in baseline study of 2011- 2013. Of them, 1075 could be tracked by village and household. Of them, 953 were found alive. Of the 953 available participants, 651 (254 men and 397 women) volunteered to participate in 2021-2023 study. Compared to 2011-2013 baseline, the prevalence of MetSyn and type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increased to 31.6% and 5.2% from 7.5% and 0.8% respectively in 2021-2023. Similarly, compared to baseline, the prevalence of obesity and hypertension also showed significant increase overtime. Estimated incidence of MetSyn was 260.8 per 1000 population, which was more profound in women than men (W: M= 300.3:200.8).

Conclusions: The study revealed a significant increase of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome within a decade indicating an emerging health burden among the rural people of Bangladesh.

January 2025; Vol. 19(1):003.  DOI:https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.19.003

*Correspondence: MA Sayeed, Department of Community Medicine, Ibrahim Medical College, 1/A Ibrahim Sarani, Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.  Email: [email protected];

© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(CC BY 4.0).