Fructose consumption and metabolic syndrome in adult patients of a Military Hospital.

Abstract

Introduction. Dietary fructose is metabolized in the liver,
where it stimulates fructolysis, glycolysis, lipogenesis and
glucose production, which leads to mixed dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and fatty liver; increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Objetive. Determine the association between fructose consumption and metabolic syndrome in adult patients treated at the “Coronel Luis Arias Schreiber” Central Military Hospital.

Materials and methods. A quantitative approach study
was carried out, with a non-experimental, cross-sectional and correlational-causal design. The study population consisted of 75 adult patients. Patients over 18 years of age were included; who voluntarily signed the informed consent and presented updated biochemical profile records. Patients with mental, motor and/or physical disabilities were  excluded.
Blood pressure and biochemical profile values were obtained from medical records and anthropometric assessment through measurement of body weight, height, and abdominal circumference. Fructose intake was obtained through a semiquantitative consumption frequency questionnaire. The Chi square statistical test was used to evaluate the association of variables.
Results. 61.3% presented Metabolic Syndrome (MS), 88%
presented inadequate fructose consumption (>25g/day). The average body mass index (BMI) was 30.34 (SD ±4.0); The
fasting glucose level was 100.13 mg/dL (SD ±11.25). When
associating inadequate fructose consumption with Metabolic Syndrome, a p value = 0.010 (p < 0.05) was obtained.
Likewise, inadequate consumption of added fructose was associated with MS (p<0.05). However, when associating natural fructose intake with MS, p =0.466 (p>0.05) was obtained.
Conclusions. A high consumption of added fructose in industrialized foods has a greater association with the development of Metabolic Syndrome; It is necessary to reduce the fructose content in industrialized foods.