Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence and Biochemical Correlates Among Civil Servants in Kano State: An Analytical Study

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of biochemical and physiological abnormalities that dramatically increases cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risk, and its prevalence and biochemical correlates in the sedentary civil service workforce of Kano State have not been analytically characterised. This study determines the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its biochemical correlates in civil servants in Kano State. A cross-sectional analytical study enrolled seven hundred and forty-five civil servants across five state ministries in Kano. Clinical measurements included blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI, and hip circumference. Fasting venous blood was collected for glucose, insulin, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol, high-sensitivity CRP, uric acid, and urine microalbumin. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the harmonized International Diabetes Federation criteria. Logistic regression identified independent biochemical and clinical predictors of metabolic syndrome in this population. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 31.4 percent overall, with significantly higher prevalence in female civil servants (36.2%) compared to males (27.3%). The most prevalent component abnormality was low HDL-C (52%), followed by elevated triglycerides (43%) and elevated fasting glucose (38%). Hyperuricaemia was present in 27 percent of metabolic syndrome cases compared to 11 percent of non-metabolic syndrome subjects, suggesting a role as both a biochemical marker and a pathogenic contributor. High-sensitivity CRP was independently associated with metabolic syndrome after adjustment for BMI and waist circumference, confirming an inflammatory dimension. The study recommends workplace metabolic screening programmes in Kano State ministries. Keywords: metabolic syndrome, civil servants, biochemical correlates, Kano State, cardiovascular risk.