European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:  To assess knowledge and attitude regarding self- reported adherence among individuals at high risk of metabolic syndrome in Kanyakumari district. Methods: One hundred ten of both genders were enrolled and parameters such as sociodemographic characteristics; compliance with prescribed treatments and dietary adjustments; awareness of metabolic syndrome; and attitude toward health, education, smoking, alcoholism, exercise and family history of CVD was recorded. For direct inquiries, the response was graded on a five-point scale: 0% for never, 25% for seldom, 50% for sometimes, 75% for often, and 100% for always. Results: Out of 110 patients, males were 62 (56.3%) and females were 48 (43.7%). Education was primary in 50, high in 42 and above in 18. Smoking was seen in 34, alcoholism in 15, family history of premature CVD was seen in 40, 32 perform exercise and 78 not. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). 14% heard about metabolic syndrome, 15% had understanding of metabolic syndrome, 27% had knowledge of MS as risk for cardiovascular diseases, 61% sedentary lifestyle as a risk factor, 30% as central obesity as a component, 26% considered hypertension as a component for MS, 25% ha knowledge of diabetes as a component of MS, 28% knew that high triglyceride level is a component and 22% knew that low HDL-C level is a component of MS. Age, the presence of hypertension, and attitude toward health were positively associated with the adherence to medications score and income level had a negative association. Conclusions: The people with high-risk metabolic syndrome frequently had low adherence rates to medications and lifestyle adjustments. The two most significant variables affecting adherence rates were patients' knowledge of metabolic syndrome and attitudes toward health.