[The metabolic syndrome among obese patients]

The metabolic syndrome is a widely prevalent constellation of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We examined the prevalence and determinants of the metabolic syndrome in overweight/obese patients requesting treatment.

We conducted a retrospective journal search for patients with a diagnosis of obesity that were examined at the Department of Preventive Cardiology, Ullevaal University Hospital between 1999 - 2002. The patients were self-referred (14 %) or referred from primary (55 %) or secondary care (27 %). We compared the definition of the metabolic syndrome modified by the National Cholesterol Education Program with that used by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Of 162 women and 116 men (mean body mass index of 39 kg/m 2 ), 71 % (95 % CI 66 % - 77 %) met both sets of criteria. Only 16 women and two men had no other components of the metabolic syndrome than an elevated waist circumference. Patients with the metabolic syndrome were older (47 years versus 43 years; p = 0.005) and had more prevalent cardiovascular disease (16 % versus 6 %; p = 0.05) than those without the syndrome. Men had a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome than women (81 % versus 66 %, p = 0.007) and higher systolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

We conclude that both definitions identify nearly the same populations among obese patients. Men should be encouraged more strongly to enrol in obesity treatment programs because of their metabolic risk profile.