The metabolic syndrome increased risk of cardiovascular events in Chinese--a community based study

Whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) could serve as a valid indicator for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is in controversy. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the predictive value of the MetS for CVD events in Chinese population by different MetS definitions.

This was a community-based cohort study. MetS was defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEPIII) and Joint Committee for Developing Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults (JCDCG), respectively. 2788 subjects were included. The incidence of CVD events was monitored during a 5.5-year period.

The proportion of MetS defined by the WHO, IDF, NCEPIII and JCDCG criteria was 25.9%, 15.4%, 22.0% and 26.1%, respectively in men, and 24.5%, 28.0%, 31.1% and 23.0%, respectively in women. After adjusting for age, all four definitions were associated with increased risk of CVD events in women, but not in men. The corresponding hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] in women were 2.13 (1.44-3.16), 1.49 (1.01-2.19), 1.50 (1.02-2.21) and 2.10 (1.41-3.11). The HRs remained significant with WHO and JCDCG definitions, not with the IDF and NCEPIII definitions, when factors of LDL cholesterol, and smoking were adjusted.

The MetS by the WHO and JCDCG definition was associated with increased risk of CVD events in Chinese women after adjustment for age, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and smoking.