Virtual Medical Centre

Metabolic Syndrome

• What is Metabolic Syndrome?
• Who gets Metabolic Syndrome?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How Will Metabolic Syndrome Affect Me?
• Clinical Examination
• How is Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosed?
• How is Metabolic Syndrome treated?
• Metabolic Syndrome References

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when a number of metabolic abnormalities (including insulin resistance and obesity) occur at the same time in an individual. Individuals who have the syndrome are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus than those who do not. Metabolic syndrome is defined by the International Diabetes Federation as:

• Central obesity, indicated by a waist circumference (ethnicity specific)
• Plus any two of the following:
  1. Increased triglycerides
  2. Increased high density cholesterol
  3. High blood pressure
  4. High fasting plasma glucose
     

Who gets Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is an alarmingly common health condition, occurring in some 20–25% of the world's population. In Australia, it is estimated that one in three people over the age of 25 years have the metabolic syndrome.

Predisposing Factors

Individuals who have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome include:

• Obese individuals, particularly those with obesity around their abdomen;
• Individuals consuming large amount of saturated fats;
• Individuals who consume more than one (in women) or two (in men) standard drinks of alcohol per day, or more than four (in women) or six (in men) standard drinks in a single session (commonly known as binge drinking) at least once a week;
• Individuals with schizophrenia are 2–4 times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than non-schizophrenic individuals;
• Insulin resistant individuals;
• Individuals with a family history of insulin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes.

Progression

Unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity are the key lifestyle factors leading to metabolic syndrome. Extended periods of unhealthy eating and limited physical activity result in obesity and insulin resistance, which in turn affect the body's metabolism and increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. Once metabolic syndrome is diagnosed, the syndrome is likely to worsen. If left untreated, individuals may go on to develop additional metabolic abnormalities. In addition, once metabolic syndrome is diagnosed, other metabolic abnormalities (e.g. abnormal blood pressure response to changes in dietary salt) also tend to worsen.