Contribution to the epidemiology of the metabolic syndrome in Luxembourg. (Doctoral thesis)

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cardiometabolic complex cluster characterised by hyperinsulinaemia, low glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and obesity.
It represents a significant marker of increased risk for both cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. To efficiently combat the forecasted type 2 diabetes epidemic and its cardiovascular and metabolic complications, evidence-based strategies focusing on target groups of the population at risk are needed to tailor prevention programs.
In this context, the overall aim of this thesis was to investigate, for the first time, the epidemiological profile of the MS, its variations and its potential socio-economic and behavioural determinants among the presumably healthy adult population residing in Luxembourg. Such data should offer new possibilities for successful intervention to prevent and treat the MS before the coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes develop in susceptible individuals and groups.
This PhD thesis originated from joint collaboration between the Public Health Research Centre in Luxembourg (CRP-Sante), Centre for Health Studies, and public health research institutions and universities in other neighbouring countries, under the auspices of the Interreg IIIA authorities. Most research work was based on the ORISCAV-LUX study, the first nationwide, epidemiological survey aimed to observe the cardiovascular risk factors among adult residents in Luxembourg. The data collection took place between November 2007 and January 2009 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and co-financed by the Ministry of Research.
The ORISCAV-LUX survey was performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki and was fully approved by the Comité National d’Ethique de Recherche and the Commission Nationale pour la Protection des Données. In a representative stratified random sample of 1432 subjects aged 18-69 years residing in Luxembourg, the research considered a range of demographic, socio-economic and behavioural factors, as well as anthropometric and biological markers of the MS. All participants answered a comprehensive questionnaire, had a physical and clinical examination and underwent blood sampling for cardiovascular risk profile evaluation.