Associations of Circadian and Metabolic Syndromes with Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A combination of MetS with Circadian rhythm disorder (CRD) may be a stronger risk factor for CVDs than MetS alone. We conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional study to compare the associations of CRD and MetS with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and CVDs in Qatar. Methods: Sociodemographic and health information were collected. MetS status was determined based on standard international criteria. CRD was defined based on either i) short sleep duration (≤ 6 hours per night) and MetS or (ii) short sleep duration, self-reported depression (or PHQ-2 score ≥ 3) and two components of MetS. Results: A total of 2523 respondents completed the interview, with a mean age of 37.1 years (SD = 11.2), women (n=637, 27.3%), and Qataris (n=754, 32.3%). The overall prevalence of MetS and CRD was 6.8% (95% CI: 5.4–8.5) and 2.4% (95% CI: 1.7–3.4), respectively; MetS was more prevalent in men (7.0%) compared to women (5.8%); the opposite was true for CRD (women 4.4% vs men 2.4%). Older age was a predictor of both MetS and CRD. Compared to Qataris, blue-collar expatriates had lower odds of MetS (OR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.23–0.58) and CRD (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.20–1.05). Current married status was positively associated with MetS, but not CRD. Both MetS (OR=19.08, 95% CI: 10.87–33.50) and CRD (OR=10.32, 95% CI: 4.60–23.17) were strongly associated with T2DM. Similarly, MetS (OR = 5.51, 95% CI: 2.33–13.03) and CRD (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 0.92–4.42) were associated with CVDs. Conclusion: MetS showed potentially stronger associations than CRD with T2DM and CVDs in Qatar. Further research is needed into the predictive utility of CRD compared with MetS for these outcomes in different populations including the Middle East.