Laboratory Findings for Metabolic Syndrome in Nurses Working in a Medical Center, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background & Aims Some studies have reported a high risk of metabolic syndrome among women and night shift workers. This study aims to determine the status of metabolic syndrome laboratory indicators and thyroid function tests in nurses working in Rajaei Cardiovascular, Medical, & Research Center (RCMRC) in Tehran, Iran, in 2020-2021. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study on the health records of nurses working in RCMRC. The sampling was done using a census method. Records with incomplete information were excluded. A form containing demographic characteristics, thyroid function indicators, and metabolic syndrome laboratory indicators was used to collect data from the health records. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 26. Results Out of 401 reviewed records, 339 cases (84.5%) were for female nurses. The mean age of nurses was 37.47±8.68 years, and their mean work experience was 13.17±8.07 years. According to the criteria of the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the prevalence of abnormalities in metabolic syndrome laboratory tests was 5.21%, while according to the National Cholesterol Education Program III criteria, it was 2.99%. The prevalence of clinical hypothyroidism was 0.2%; subclinical hypothyroidism, 12.0%; and subclinical hyperthyroidism, 1.5%. Conclusion The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and thyroid disorders among nurses working in RCMRC is not considerable. Further large-scale studies (cohort or longitudinal) are recommended.

Keywords

• metabolic syndrome
• hyperthyroidism
• hypothyroidism
• nurses