[Metabolic syndrome: to observe or to act?]

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a very high cardiovascular risk. This risk has usually been present for a very long time when diabetes is diagnosed. The combination of several metabolic abnormalities known as metabolic syndrome seems to be responsible for this increased risk. Insulin resistance is a major component of metabolic syndrome, which also includes clinical abnormalities such as increased waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia, high blood pressure. It is very important to screen subjects with metabolic syndrome because of their high risk. Furthermore, some pharmaceutical agents could be effective in reducing the risk related to insulin resistance. Metformin effectiveness has been shown for the reduction of diabetes related complications and mortality, mainly in the cardiovascular field. Its place among the other potentially active agents remains to be determined as well as how it should be used in combination to lifestyle changes and how effective it is on a long-term basis.