Relationship of ABO blood groups with metabolic syndrome and its metabolic abnormalities in a population in North Lahore

Objectives: To examine the relationship of ABO blood groups with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its metabolic abnormalities in an urban population in Lahore. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore from August 2022 to August 2024 on 890 healthy subjects recruited from localities in Northern Lahore with informed consent. Blood samples were analyzed for ABO blood groups and three metabolic abnormalities, namely: fasting hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterol. In addition, central obesity and blood pressure were determined. A brief questionnaire covering demographic characteristics was also administered. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for determining the association between ABO blood groups and MetS and its metabolic abnormalities. Results: Adults from 18 years to 75 years had a Mean ± SD age of 40.87±11.84 years. Percentages of A, B, AB and O blood groups were 22%, 41%, 11% and 26%, respectively. No association was found between ABO blood groups and MetS (p-value=0.88), however the adjusted odds of having hypertriglyceridemia in blood group A subjects was 1.8 times higher compared to subjects with blood group AB [AOR:1.80; 95% CI:1.02-3.18]. Conclusion: There was a lack of association between ABO blood groups and MetS. Blood group A individuals appear more vulnerable to having hypertriglyceridemia in this population.