The metabolic syndrome in ambulatory people with post-polio syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other neuromuscular diseases.

Objective: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing health issue. This study evaluated the prevalence of MetS, and individual MetS risk factors, in people with different neuromuscular diseases (NMD).

Design: We used baseline data of a randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of a physical activity program in NMD. MetS was defined as the presence of at least 3 out of 5 risk factors of the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.

Results: The 84 participants (50 female, median age = 63 years, IQR = 48, 68 years) were diagnosed with post-polio syndrome (PPS, n = 22), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT, n = 37) or other NMD (n = 25). MetS was present in 18 participants (21%). The most common risk factors were hypertension (56%), central obesity (49%) and increased fasting blood glucose (33%). Logistic regression results showed that, adjusted for age and muscle strength as confounders, participants with CMT (Exp(B) = 0.107, 95%CI: 0.019-0.609) and other NMD (Exp(B) = 0.039, 95%CI: 0.004-0.390) had significantly lower odds of MetS compared with PPS.

Conclusion: The MetS prevalence that we found is comparable to the general Dutch population. However, a focus on the prevention of MetS in neuromuscular rehabilitation is warranted, as certain NMD subgroups may be at increased risk of developing MetS.