Cardio-Metabolic Syndrome: Definition, Management, and Prognosis

A comprehensive review of the history, causes, treatments, and the future of the metabolic syndrome

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome, a constellation of clinical signs including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, is of growing prevalence in the world. Concerns include the multitude of risk factors associated with having this syndrome. Mortality is increased along with the increased susceptibility of a cardiovascular event such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or some form of athrogenic disease. Throughout the world there is a positive correlation seen between age and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. Older individuals (> 70 years of age) are the highest group with this syndrome. Women also seem to be more at risk than men. There are currently three widely used definitions for the metabolic syndrome. Accordingly, identifying patients depend on which definition is used and discrepancies can occur between studies. Although there are many contributors to the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome, a recurrent theme is abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Both these entities can explain the clinical criteria seen when identifying patients with this syndrome. Current therapies include weight reduction through dieting, lifestyle modifications, and perhaps pharmacological treatments. As the metabolic syndrome is gaining more recognition, emerging therapies are targeting the molecular biology behind this syndrome.

Keywords

Cardiometabolic syndrome, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia