Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Metabolic Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Numerous studies have explored the biomarker atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in relation to metabolic syndrome (MetS), showing its potential utility in assessing this condition. However, the existing evidence remains inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between AIP and MetS and assess its predictive accuracy. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus was conducted using a predefined search strategy to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies diagnosed MetS based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria. The primary outcomes were the mean difference (MD) in AIP between MetS patients and healthy controls, as well as the area under the curve (AUC) for AIP in predicting MetS. Results: Thirteen studies involving 17,689 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. AIP levels were significantly higher in MetS patients compared to healthy controls, with an MD of 0.309 (95% CI 0.214, 0.405). In contrast, the difference in AIP levels between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with MetS and normoglycemic MetS patients was not statistically significant (MD 0.142, 95% CI -0.091, 0.376). The predictive accuracy of AIP for MetS yielded an AUC of 0.864 (95% CI 0.856, 0.871). Conclusions: AIP levels are significantly elevated in MetS patients compared to healthy individuals, supporting AIP's potential role as a biomarker for MetS. However, AIP levels did not differ significantly between T2DM patients with MetS and normoglycemic MetS patients. The predictive accuracy of AIP for MetS is acceptable, indicating that AIP may serve as a useful tool in MetS diagnosis. Further research is warranted to clarify its diagnostic and prognostic significance in clinical settings.