Metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for contrast-induced nephropathy in non-diabetic elderly patients with renal impairment

Metabolic syndrome (MS) as a risk factor for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has not been studied. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of MS on the development of CIN in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

This was a prospective cohort study. A total of 219 non-diabetic patients with reduced kidney function and age >or=60 years were divided into two groups (MS, n = 107 and non-MS, n = 112). CIN was defined as an increase of >or=25% in creatinine over the baseline value within 48 h of angiography.

CIN occurred in 14% of the MS group and 3.6% of the non-MS group (p = 0.006). Serum creatinine increased from 1.06 +/- 0.17 to 1.12 +/- 0.27 mg/dl in the MS group and from 1.03 +/- 0.17 to 1.09 +/- 0.23 mg/dl in the non-MS group (p < 0.001). MS was a risk indicator of CIN [odds ratio (OR) 4.26; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.19-15.25; p = 0.026). Impaired fasting glucose (OR 4.72; 95% CI 1.53-14.56; p = 0.007), high triglyceride (OR 4.06; 95% CI 1.22-13.44; p = 0.022), and multivessel involvement (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.07-9.82; p = 0.038) in the MS group were predictors of CIN.

Our data support the hypothesis that patients with MS are at risk of developing CIN.