[The metabolic syndrome]

The "metabolic syndrome" consists of some common risk factors for cardiovascular diseases: central obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension. The metabolic syndrome (MTS) leads to increased morbidity and mortality and to higher direct and indirect healthcare costs. The MTS can be diagnosed using the NCEP/ATP III criteria. The prevalence of the MTS in Germany is estimated at 23.8% and is expected to rise further, due to increasing obesity among children and adolescents. Studies have shown that the MTS leads to increased cardiovascular and total mortality and thus to a decreased life expectancy. Studies estimating the total costs of MTS are missing, but after addition of the costs for all the risk factors it is assumed that MTS costs amount to 5% of total healthcare costs. This is the result of the more frequent demand of health services and longer hospitalisation of patients with MTS. Even moderate weight loss can decrease the rates of morbidity and healthcare costs.