Metabolic syndrome and its association with morbidity and mortality

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that are associated with increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality; however, it is clear that considerable variation exists in these relationships. Given that the prevalence of MetS increases with age, is higher in men than in women, and varies with race and ethnicity, a number of questions about the clinical application of MetS in predicting morbidity and mortality in diverse populations remain unanswered. Thus, in this review, we compare the ability of MetS to predict health risk across age, sex, race, and ethnicity, and in primary versus secondary prevention subgroups to explore these relationships. Furthermore, as there is currently no universal MetS criteria, we also discuss differences in the prediction of morbidity and mortality in studies that used different criteria to define MetS. At present, further research is necessary to examine the health risks associated with (i) different combinations of MetS components in diverse populations, (ii) the relative importance of each MetS component in predicting different health outcomes, and (iii) the independent contribution of MetS in predicting risk of morbidity and mortality beyond that incurred by other risk factors.