[Metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome. Recent epidemiological data]

Three definitions are currently proposed to define metabolic syndrome or insulinresistance syndrome (WHO, EGIR, NCEP-ATP III). These definitions are described and recent epidemiological data assessing the frequency of this syndrome in different populations according to these three definitions are presented. Observational studies indicates an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risk in subjects with metabolic/insulin resistance syndrome. These findings imply to identify these at risk subjects and to define the optimal preventive management strategy.