The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the increase of hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome in the Turkish population: a retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic starting in late 2019 and continuing into 2020, permanent or periodic quarantine processes and curfews have been implemented. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of extended quarantine processes during the pandemic on the development of metabolic syndrome (MET-S) due to physical inactivity. Material and Method: This retrospective study consists of two groups. The first group consists of patients who applied to our hospital in the 12 months preceding the pandemic. The second group consists of the same patients who applied to the same hospital within 12 months of the onset of the pandemic. A total of 44,024 participants who had lab data prior to and during the pandemic were included in the study. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Triglyceride (TRIG), Total Cholesterol (T-Chol), High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. The test averages were compared between the two groups and their effects on the development of MET-S were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: When we compared our patients' HDL-C, FPG and TRIG levels measured during the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period, we found a statistically significant increase (p<0.001 for all three). We examined whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the diagnosis criteria for MET-S (TRIG, HDL-C, FPG). The proportion of patients with FPG>100 mg/dL and TRIG>150 mg/dL during the pandemic was statistically significantly higher than during the pre-pandemic period (51.7% vs 45.8%, p<0.001; 45.7% vs 42.7%, p<0.001).We found that the proportion of patients with HDL-C<50 mg/dL in women and HDL-C<40 mg/dL in men during the pandemic was statistically significantly lower than during the pre-pandemic period (43.7% vs 46.9%, p<0.001; 32.4% vs 36.7 p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The influence of sedentary living on the development of MET-S, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases is known. The levels of FPG, TRIG and HDL-C constitute three of the five diagnostic criteria of MET-S, and abnormal changes in these tests are effective in the formation of MET-S. We have detected a significant increase in FPG and TRIG levels in patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, we have established that patients became more susceptible to MET-S on the pandemic due to quarantine. On the other hand, there is a need for further research, including waist circumference and blood pressure data, which are included in the diagnostic criteria for MET-S.

Keywords

• Hyperlipidemia
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Pandemic
• COVID-19

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