The metabolic syndrome in women

The metabolic syndrome is estimated to be present in 47 million US residents with a similar age-adjusted prevalence in men (24%) and women (23%). The consideration of various metabolic risk factors as a single entity in the metabolic syndrome provides clinicians with a tool by which they can identify a population at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in women in the US. To reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, efforts have focused on modifying the metabolic risk factors that constitute the metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. In addition, because of several circumstances specific to women, including pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, oral contraceptive therapy use, and menopause, there are special considerations regarding risk factor identification, modification, and clinical management. This article provides a review of diagnostic and therapeutic issues that clinicians should consider when caring for women at risk for developing or diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome.