A large-scale nationwide cohort study has revealed that young adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at a significantly higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This research, which analysed health data from nearly 7 million individuals aged 20–39 years in South Korea, provides fresh insights into the link between MetS and respiratory health, particularly in younger populations.
MetS, a cluster of conditions including abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and hyperglycaemia, was found to increase the risk of COPD by 18% overall. Among these components, abdominal obesity posed the greatest risk, elevating COPD likelihood by 27%. A cumulative effect was also observed: individuals with all five MetS components faced a 55% higher risk of COPD compared to those without MetS.
During the study’s 8.35-year follow-up period, 13,784 new COPD cases were identified. While hyperglycaemia did not show a significant association with COPD development, the other components of MetS consistently correlated with increased risk. The findings emphasise the need for heightened awareness and proactive monitoring of respiratory health in young adults with MetS, particularly those presenting multiple metabolic irregularities.
This study highlights an urgent need for early intervention and tailored health strategies to prevent long-term respiratory complications in individuals with MetS, reinforcing the importance of managing metabolic health beyond cardiovascular concerns.
Reference
Kim OH et al. Association between metabolic syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development in young individuals: a nationwide cohort study. Respir Res. 2024;DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-03038-z.
