[Metabolic syndrome and kidney disease]

Metabolic syndrome (MS) encompasses a series of diseases which, when combined, increase vascular risk more than the sum of their individual risks. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the basic components of MS. - Abdominal fat distribution is an IR marker and is associated to factors increasing vascular risk such as dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and hyperglycemia, components of the so-called metabolic syndrome. - IR is related to glomerular sclerosis and renal failure through several mechanisms, Including genetic and environmental factors, and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. - IR usually precedes development of DM, and therefore contributes to its early identification. MS increases the risk of chronic complications from DM and is associated to an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary heart disease, increasing mortality from this cause. - The presence of MS in DM2 is usually associated to a greater prevalence of microalbuminuria or proteinuria and peripheral polyneuropathy.