The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in male patients attending an infertility clinic at Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex condition with multiple metabolic risk factors. Its effect on male reproductive abilities and semen quality is not well studied.

OBJECTIVES

o determine the prevalence of MetS among male partners of infertile couples attending the infertility clinic at Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, Free State, November 2019–October 2020.

METHODS

This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Data collection tools comprised a close-ended structured questionnaire and a clinical observation checklist. Blood samples were tested for random glucose, glycated haemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hormones, and semen parameters. Participants were grouped according to the diagnosis (MetS group and control group).

RESULTS

Of the 53 participants, 39.5% were between 35-39 years, 75.5% Black African and 71.7% married. According to the definition, 13 (24.5%) participants had MetS of whom most had hypertension, were obese/ overweight with a high waist circumference (WC), high triglycerides and low HDL-C. Most participants had normal hormone levels and semen volume. Both groups had acceptable percentages of normal sperm morphology and motility. The variation of semen parameters was not statistically significant.

Comparing the confounders and MetS components, statistically significant variation (p < 0.05) was found for hypertension, body mass index (BMI), WC, HDL-C and triglycerides between the groups. According to the distribution of confounders, MetS components and semen parameters, variations in testosterone, blood pressure, BMI, WC, triglycerides, and sperm volume between the groups were significant. Significant associations between confounders and semen parameters included chemicals/toxins/radiation vs total motility and vitality, smoking vs pH, and co-morbidities vs vitality.

CONCLUSION

This research identified existing knowledge gaps and can help guide policies in the future by assessing the need of the implementation of education programmes in parallel with HPV vaccination programmes in order to decrease cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.