Metabolic syndrome is associated with peripheral endothelial dysfunction amongst men

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Biology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and peripheral endothelial dysfunction (PED) are independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
• PED offers prognostic information beyond traditional risk factors.
• The relationship between MetS and PED requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and peripheral endothelial dysfunction (PED).
• To determine if MetS predicts PED in patients evaluated for chest pain or CVD risk.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 678 patients referred for CVD risk assessment (2006-2014).
• Metabolic syndrome defined by ≥3 criteria: BMI ≥25 kg/m², impaired fasting glucose/diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, or low HDL cholesterol.
• Peripheral endothelial dysfunction assessed using reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry.

Main Results:

• 43.2% of patients had PED, and 36.7% had MetS.
• MetS was significantly associated with PED (OR 2.06, P=0.0090) after multivariable adjustment.
• The association between MetS and PED was significant only in men (OR 3.16, P=0.0094).

Conclusions:

• Metabolic syndrome is associated with peripheral endothelial dysfunction in men undergoing cardiovascular risk assessment.
• Identifying PED in men with MetS may facilitate earlier and more intensive cardiovascular risk factor management.