Metabolic syndrome and arthritis among Mexican American older adults: findings from a 23-year follow-up

To examine the sex differences in the relationship of metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria with arthritis and symptomatic arthritis among Mexican American older adults aged ≥ 65 without self-reported arthritis at baseline over 23-years of follow-up.

Participants (N = 1447) were from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (1993/94–2016). Measures included MetS criteria, arthritis defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed arthritis, socio-demographics, morbidities, depressive symptoms, pain on weight-bearing, cognitive and physical function, handgrip strength, mobility, and activities of daily living (ADLs) limitations. Symptomatic arthritis was defined as self-reported arthritis and having ≥ 1 of the following: pain, mobility limitation, or limited ADLs.

At baseline, the mean age was 72.6 years and 730 (50.5%) of our participants were females. Female participants with 2 and 3 MetS criteria had greater odds of arthritis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95% Confidence Interval (Cl) = 1.28–2.45 and OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.69–4.27, respectively) and symptomatic arthritis (OR = 1.74, 95% Cl = 1.24–2.44 and OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 2.04–5.26, respectively) after controlling for covariates. Male participants with 2 and 3 MetS criteria had greater odds of arthritis (OR = 1.65, 95% Cl = 1.14–2.39 and OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.51–4.19, respectively) and symptomatic arthritis (OR = 1.93, 95% Cl = 1.30–2.86 and OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.62–5.47, respectively) after controlling for covariates. Both females and males with pain on weight-bearing had greater odds of arthritis than those without pain.

At 23-years of follow-up, Mexican American older adults with MetS have an increased risk of arthritis and symptomatic arthritis. Early MetS screening and management may reduce arthritis in this population at high risk of disability.