Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and association with burden of atherosclerotic disease in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Met.S.) and to explore the association of Met.S. with the number of diseased vessels in patients with stable coronary artery disease (C.A.D.). Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled stable C.A.D. patients who attended the outpatient cardiology departments of four hospitals between 2006 and 2008. Met.S. was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (N.C.E.P./A.T.P. III). Results: In the study 742 patients (mean age: 62 ± 9 years, male: n = 631, 85.0%) with stable C.A.D. were recruited. The prevalence of Met.S. was 47.3% (95% C.I. = 43.6–50.9%). Among women, a high percentage of the patients had Met.S. (n = 68, 61.3%), whereas in male patients the prevalence of Met.S. was 44.8% (n = 283). Multivariable analysis showed that C.A.D. patients with Met.S. had 84% higher odds of double or triple vessel disease, whereas those with four or five Met.S. components had two times higher odds of double or triple vessel disease after adjustment for potential confounders (O.R. = 1.84 with 95% C.I. = 1.26–2.68, p = 0.001 and O.R. = 2.08 with 95% C.I. = 1.17–3.69, p = 0.012, respectively). Met.S. as well as the accumulation of four or five Met.S. components had a positive association with the likelihood of double or triple vessel disease and this was independent of the presence of diabetes. Conclusions: Almost one out of two patients with stable C.A.D. was found to fulfill the criteria of Met.S. Met.S. as well as four or five Met.S. components increased the odds of double or triple vessel disease in patients with stable C.A.D. The study suggests that cardiologists and health care practitioners should be aware that Met.S. is highly prevalent when established C.A.D. is present and that Met.S. and accumulation of four or five Met.S. components seem to be associated more often with double or triple vessel C.A.D.

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