Comparison of Ischemic Stroke Outcomes in Patients With and Without Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

The present systematic review aims to compare ischemic stroke outcomes in patients with and without metabolic syndrome. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline was followed during the conduct of this systematic review. The literature search encompassed extensive databases like PubMed, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. We included studies published between 2014 and 2024 in the English language that fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using appropriate tools tailored to the study design. The synthesis and analysis of data included a narrative summary of study characteristics, outcomes assessed, and main findings. The analyzed results demonstrate a multifaceted connection between metabolic syndrome and the outcomes of ischemic stroke. While several studies affirm that specific components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), notably hyperglycemia, hypertension, and waist circumference, are associated with increased risk and poor outcomes, the role of broader metabolic health appears nuanced. Some studies highlight that metabolic status (not solely weight or BMI) is paramount in predicting both acute events like early neurological deterioration (END) and recurrent strokes, suggesting tailored interventions focusing on metabolic health could enhance patient outcomes. This systematic review concluded that the risk of stroke and poor outcomes increased with the number of metabolic syndrome components like hypertension, elevated abdominal fat, and hyperglycemia.