Health-related quality of life in metabolic syndrome: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005

Aim: This study sought to assess the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population. Methods: We analyzed data for 4463 adults, aged 30 years or older, from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005. "EuroQol 5D'', which measures two dimensions, the EuroQol 5D index score (EQ-5D) and the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), was used to evaluate HRQOL. Results: Mean scores for the EQ-5D in both sexes and EQ-VAS in women decreased with increasing number of MS components, and women's means for both scores were significantly lower than men's. In individual domains of HRQOL, men with more MS components tended to have higher odds ratios for decreased self-care, and women had decreased mobility, according to the EQ-5D. In men, high blood pressure led to decreased EQ-5D, and in women, abdominal obesity and high blood pressure did so. Additionally, we found that taking medication had an impact on decreased HRQOL, especially in subjects with impaired fasting glucose. Conclusions: HRQOL was negatively associated with the number of MS components and it was decreased by taking hypoglycemic medications. This association differed by gender. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.