Perceived Thermoregulation Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Symptom Burden in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A...

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), as a clustering of health disorders, has been linked to the onset of cardiovascular disease. Less is known about how flexible the body is in controlling its own temperature. If this system doesn't work right, it can add stress on the heart and blood vessels.

To investigate the relationship between symptoms of thermoregulation dysfunction and cardiovascular symptom burden among MetS patients in various countries.

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 603 adult MetS patients from Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Perceived thermoregulation dysfunction was evaluated with the secretomotor scale of the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31), and cardiovascular symptoms were determined with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Correlations, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests and multiple regression were used as statistical tests.

A higher score for thermoregulation dysfunctions was associated with lower SAQ scores, reflecting worse HRQL (ρ = -0.350, p < 0.001). Women had more symptoms and worse quality of life compared to men, and older age was associated with dysfunction and worse outcomes (both p < 0.001). The independent predictors of worse SAQ scores in univariate analysis were a higher COMPASS score, older age, female sex, higher body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and longer disease duration.Conclusion: People with MetS who have difficulty regulating their temperature seem to carry a greater burden of cardiovascular symptoms. Management in these patients may benefit from addressing thermal and autonomic issues.