The present study identified MS combination for which factor analysis would be appropriate among Bantu Africans. For that reason, the steps involved in performing factor analysis procedure were described. Thus, factor analysis findings using SPSS software have been interpreted.
However, MS is a complex issue in health care. It does not have a simple cause, but multiple risk factors. Its natural course is influenced by genetic factors, personal (Host) attributes, environmental characteristics, or some interactions of both.
At our knowledge, this was the first study to characterize factor analysis of possible risks for clustering of some traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the general population, absence of CDM, presence of CDM, and presence of MS among Bantu Africans living in DR Congo(Central region).
The extent of T2DM, CDM (concurrent presence of 3 non-lipid components of MS), and MS defined by IDF 5 criteria such as 3 non-lipid components and 2 lipid-lipoprotein components [6] was examined. The present study also determined the interrelation of the main CDM factors: BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, FPG, and post-load glucose.
Emerging burden of MS
Contrary to the previous myths, non communicable diseases (Diabetes, hypertension, MS, atherosclerosis) are no longer rare in Africa [10–14]. The extent is increasing and it is thought to be due to the shifting from traditional African customs to the Western lifestyle [15–18].
MS pattern
The present study sought at identifying the physiogenic factors responsible for the clustering of cardiometabolic components. Factor analysis showed marked differences in the MS pattern between the groups of 3 components (CDM) and 5 components (MS).
Number of generated factors
In the general adult population, factor analysis identified 3 components for MS. This finding about MS was consistent with a study conducted in Asian Indians from the general population [1]. In India, however, the total variance of 65.3% [1] was lower than the total variance of 75.1% explained in the present study. However, in the South African general population, 5 factors could be identified in factor 1(Obesity), factor 2(Hypertension), factor 3(Hyperuricemia-hypertriglyceridemia), factor 4(Hyperglycemia), and factor 5(Hyperinsulinemia) [1]. In our findings, the first 2 factors cumulatively explained 58% of the total variance for MS. Only considering 3 non-lipid components, affordable in limited resources areas, factor analysis had identified also 3 factors with total variance almost 74.5% for CDM and similar with that for MS. The first 2 factors(Dysglycemia and Hypertension) cumulatively explained 56% of the total variance of CDM.
In considering the entire population and the sub-population without CDM, factor analysis generated only 2 factors. In all participants, the factors revealed such as hypertension(factor 1) and dyslipidemia(factor 2) cumulatively explainedb55.4%bof the total variance of the clustering pattern of atherogenic factors from MS. However, in the absence of CDM, BP was not loaded, while only dysglycemia(factor 1) and obesity/BMI and WC(factor 2) were revealed the first factors which cumulatively explained 48.1% of the total variance of the characterization of this group by the clustering of non-lipid components for MS.
The present study showed that no overlapping of variables on more than 1 factor indicated that more than 1 variable was responsible for the ultimate phenotype of the MS. Our findings demonstrated that factor analysis confirmed the general results from other factor analyses of the MS on different ethnic groups that had 3-5 factors revealed [1–4].
Our findings with the clustering of the variables in MS as a result of multiple factors known modifiable in nature raised the following question: would it be more efficient to include all participants in one major factor analysis model? Indeed, factor analysis is practically limited to develop a single-parameter screening tool for MS in this study as mentioned in the literature [4]. IDF recommended WC as the most frequently used anthropometric index to define abdominal obesity [6]. Paradoxically, WC, BP, lipid, and glucose levels were similar among men and women in this study as reported in the same general population [10]. However, WC cutoff points differ by ethnic groups and gender worldwide [1, 4]. Older age was associated with T2DM in this study, while age not considered as a component of MS, is a confounding factor for anthropometric variables of MS amon Taiwanese individuals [4].
Factor analysis was applied to see whether there was a less complex space with fewer than the “n” dimensions of the variables that had been analyzed. It was found that a three dimensional space or a mixture of three factors could be used to explain a major part of the data. In more precise mathematical terms the global and examined variables without dyslipidemia(with paradoxes of triglycerides and HDL-C) could be reduced to three factors with eigenvalues greater than one, which explained 73.4% of the variance in MS Africans. The loadings on these factors sorted out into three metabolic groupings.
Neither of the variables was loaded on all the three components. These three factors could be identified as Glucose Metabolism (Factor 1), Blood Pressure (Factor 2) and Obesity (Factor 3). This suggests that those non-lipid components clustered naturally rather than as a result of chance.
No overlapping of variables on more than one factor indicated that more than 1 variable is responsible for the ultimate phenotype of the fats. The present factor analysis confirmed global results from other factor analyses of fats among different populations that had 3 to 4 factors identified as non-modifiable/genetic risk factors and modifiable/ environmental risk factors. The study attempted to observe among BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, FPG, and post-load PG group - which ones go together and which ones do not [30]. Variables with a factor loading of at least 0.3 have generally been considered for interpretation although it is suggested that only loadings ≥ 0.4 be used, which therefore shares at least 15% of the variance with a factor, should be used in the study [24].
In many studies, fats play a pivotal role in the occurrence of the onset of CVD, andT2DM. However, lipid profile and fasting insulin are not available in the majority of health centers in developing countries.
Therefore, identification of non-lipid components of the metabolic syndrome would be helpful in understanding the etiology among Bantu Africans. Virtually no study has been performed on combination of the evaluated variables in Sub- Saharan Africa.
Perspectives for Africa
This study highlighted the absence of obesity as a factor of MS in type 2 diabetic Bantu Africans. Moreover, obesity was the third factor of MS with lower variance in comparisons with variances of factor 1(Glucose) and factor 2(Blood pressure) among type 2 diabetic Africans with MS. As reported on the factor analysis of risk variables associated with MS in adult Asian Indians [1], further studies among larger sizes from Bantu Africans, are needed to demonstrate the responsibility of more than one underlying physiogenetic polymorphisms in the present specific glucose-centered pattern for MS with lower BMI and smaller WC.
Limitations and strengths
The advantages and disadvantages of factor analysis have been reported in medical, physical, marketing economic and environmental researches [31]. There are different reasons of the limitations of this study, that is, ethnic and cultural heterogeinity, genetic studies, gender, age composition, number of risk variables included, sample size, and cutoff points of MS and CMD[ ]. In Asian Indians, angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism(insertion/deletion) with BP was identified factor 3 along lipids and lipoproteins(factor 1) and centripetal fat and BP(factor 3) associated with MS phenotype [1]. In these Asian Indians, DBP in factor 2 overlapped on another variable in factor 3 [1].
Advantages of factor analysis
The rotation methods are useful in making the output more understandable and for ease of interpretation of the factors. The optimal variance of the squared loadings of a factor (Column) on all the variables (rows) in a factor matrix is due to varimax rotation (an orthogonal rotation of the factor axes). Factor matrix differentiates the original variables from extracted factors.
Groups of inter-related variables are identified and seen in their manner to be related to each other.
In multi-factorial diseases, it is easy and inexpensive to perform factor analysis which can be used to identify hidden dimensions which may not be apparent from analysis.
Disadvantages of factor analysis
It is not possible to pick the proper rotation using factor analysis alone as all rotations represent different underlying processes and equally valid outcomes of standard factor analysis optimization.
Though not a strictly mathematical criterion, there is much to be said for limiting the number of factors to those whose dimension of meaning is readily comprehensible. The same limitation is reported about variance explained criteria.
The research is requested to choose the solution which generates the most comprehensive evaluation of data.
The Kraiser criterion is the default in SPSS and most computer programs but is not recommended when used as the sole cut-off criterion for estimating the number of factors.
Certain researchers prefer to keep enough factors to account for 80%-90% of the variation. However, other researchers explain variance with a few factors, but lower than 50% (Parsimony).
Factor analysis cannot identify causality as interpreting factor analysis is based on using a “ heuristic” convenient solution even if not absolutely “true”. If important attributes (such as lipid components of fats) at primary health care in developing countries like DRC, the value of the procedure was reduced for BMI in absence of MS.
It requires strong background knowledge of biology and Pathophysiology or theory as multiple attributes may be highly correlated for no apparent reason. Varimax was an orthogonal rotation of the components to maximize the variance of the squared loadings (unrotated output accounted for by the first and subsequent factors) of a dimension (Column) on all the variables(Rows) in a factor matrix. Varimax rotation is the easiest and the most simple and common rotation option used in MS [1–5]. However, oblique rotations might be more suited and more preferred with methods inclusive [31]. In search of underlying dimensions, the use (sometimes an abuse) of factor analysis in Personnality and Social Psychology literature [32]. There are also different rotation methods such as quartimax rotation(an orthogonal alternative), equimax rotation( a compromise between varimax and quartimax criteria), direct oblimin rotation(standard method with a non-orthogonal/oblique rotation with higher eigenvalues but lower interpretability of the factors), and Promax rotation. In this study, we evaluated Promax rotation in addition to varimax rotation. Indeed, Promax rotation was computationally faster alternative non-orthogonal/oblique rotation method than other oblique methods such as direct oblimin rotation. The potential limitations such as the inability of the investigators in collecting sufficient set of product activities, unknown on reasons of associated dissimilar attributes, and obscured factors were excluded or minimized.
Implementation of factor analysis
The implementation of Factor analysis is well established within robust statistical software such as SAS, BMDP and SPSS and R programming language with the factanal function (GPA rotations), and Open Opt [33]. This is evidenced by both analysis and scree plots and the three dimensional charts.