The association of pulse pressure with metabolic syndrome in Korean elderly: A nationwide population-based study

Aims Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most important issues in elderly people because of its association with ensuing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The components of MetS play a key role in the pathogenesis of arterial thickness and stiffness. Pulse pressure (PP), an easily accessible parameter in a basic health evaluation, has been documented as a marker of arterial stiffness and widespread atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to assess the association between PP and MetS in Korean elderly people. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between PP and MetS among 6187 participants (2687 men and 3500 women) aged 60 years older Korean people using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MetS were calculated across PP quartiles using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results There was a positive relationship between PP and MetS in a dose-response manner. The prevalence of MetS significantly increased with increasing PP quartile in both men and women (p < 0.001). Compared with the lowest PP quartile group, the ORs (95% CIs) for MetS of the highest PP quartile was 2.60 (1.91–3.52) for men and 1.97 (1.48–2.59) for women after adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, regular exercise and mean arterial blood pressure. These associations remained valid after additionally adjusting for hypertension and diabetes medications. Conclusion We found a positive relationship between PP and MetS among Korean elderly men and women.