Objective To investigate the relationship between blood routine indicators and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its risk factors in the Tibetan population in Xizang.

Methods From August 2021 to August 2023, a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory examinations of the Tibetan population in the Lhasa, Ali, and Naqu areas of Xizang. A total of 2 832 people were included in the study. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between blood routine indicators and MetS.

Results  The prevalence of MetS was 11.5%, with rates of 12.9% among males and 10.6% among females. After adjusting for confounding factors, white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), and platelet distribution width (PDW) were associated with MetS prevalence. Compared with the lowest tertile (Q1), the odds ratios (ORs) for Q2 and Q3 of WBC were 1.629 (95% CI: 1.164-2.279, P = 0.004) and 1.621 (95% CI: 1.14-2.292, P = 0.006), respectively. For Hb, the ORs in Q2 and Q3 were 0.523 (95% CI: 0.325-0.843, P = 0.008) and 0.435 (95% CI: 0.212-0.889, P = 0.022), respectively. The ORs for HCT in Q2 and Q3 were 1.818 (95% CI: 1.123-2.943, P = 0.015) and 2.480 (95% CI: 1.208-5.089, P = 0.013), respectively. The ORs for PDW in Q2 and Q3 were 0.562 (95% CI: 0.358-0.881, P = 0.012) and 0.614 (95% CI: 0.381-0.991, P = 0.046), respectively.

Conclusion  WBC, Hb, HCT, and PDW in the complete blood count were associated with the prevalence of MetS, WBC and HCT were risk factors for the prevalence of MetS, while Hb and PDW were protective factors. It is recommended that complete blood counts be included in the monitoring and management of metabolic diseases.