The influence of risk factors for metabolic syndrome on vascular complications

We assessed the influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) characteristics on vascular complications. The study included 108 patients (72 women and 36 men, age 57.0 ± 8.5 years) with MetS that was diagnosed according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. The prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications was assessed: vascular changes in the fundus of the eye-72%, ischemic heart disease-54.9%, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <90 mL/min-38.9%, diabetic foot-5.55%, and cerebrovascular accident-3.7% of patients. A negative correlation between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration, creatinine levels, and level of vascular changes in the fundus of the eye was found. Moreover, the level of obesity and fasting glucose level had positive correlation with the intensity of vascular changes in the fundus of the eye. Characteristics of MetS (obesity and fasting glucose level) have high impact on advancing vascular complications in these patients. High level of HDL-C decreases the intensity of vascular changes in patients with MetS.