Despite several studies on the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and smoking duration in current smokers, it has not been completely clarified in former smokers. This study aimed to assess the relationship between smoking duration and MS in Korean former smokers. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study using data from 1,792 former smokers aged 19 years and older of the sixth (2014-2015) Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. Former smokers were categorized

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... into three groups, <10 years, ≥10 years and <20 years, and ≥20 years according to past smoking duration. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MS and its components were estimated using multiple logistic regression models. Results: In male subjects, compared with the former smokers who smoked for less than 10 years, the OR of MS was 1.82 (95% CI: 1.10-3.01) in former smokers who smoked for more than 20 years. The ORs of hyperglycemia and high triglyceride were 1.68 (95% CI: 1.04-2.71) and 1.99 (95% CI: 1.14-3.47), respectively, in former male smokers who smoked for more than 20 years, with adjustment for age, household income and educational level, alcohol drinking, aerobic exercise, current health status, daily smoking amount, and smoking cessation duration. Conclusion: These data suggest that male former smokers who smoked for more than 20 years may have high risks of MS, hyperglycemia, and high triglyceride, even though smoking was quitted.