Potential Impact of Metabolic Syndrome Control on Cardiovascular Risk in Elderly Patients with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS), a complex pathology with features like abnormal body fat distribution, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia, contributes to higher cardiovascular (CV) risk. A cross-sectional study including 87 individuals assessed CV risk score in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and MS in Algarve, Portugal. The 10-year CV risk score was estimated using the ADVANCE risk score calculator. The reductions in CV risk score were estimated by adjusting the data inputted on the online tool to achieve systolic blood pressure (SBP) <130 or <120 mmHg, and LDL cholesterol <70 mg/dL Beyond waist circumference, the mean number of clinical features of MS was 3.14 ± 0.84, without significant sex differences. The mean CV risk score was 22.5% (CI: 20.3–24.7). Sex-specific analysis showed higher risk score in males (24.2%, CI: 21.3–27.0) vs. females (19.7%, CI: 16.2–23.3; p = 0.028). Hypothetical risk score reductions show that lowering SBP to <130 mmHg could significantly lower the risk score by an average of 9.2% (CI: 7.7–10.7), whereas 34.5% of the participants would be out of the diagnostic criteria for MS. When comparing each potential intervention with current risk score, all interventions significantly reduce the 10-year CV risk score. The study highlights the potential of blood pressure control in reducing CV risk score and the importance of multifaceted risk score reduction strategies.