Association of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Hypertensive Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome Defined by Three Different Definitions

Introduction: Different authorities have put forward their criteria to define metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of MetS in hypertensive individuals by the available three different definitions from National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), International diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO and their association with other cardiac risk factors. Methods: After anthropometric measurements fasting blood was analyzed for glucose, lipids, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and anti-oxidized LDL antibody in 150 hypertensive individuals. A ten-year coronary heart disease risk was predicted using the Framingham risk score (FRS). Results: The prevalence of MetS was 54.7% by NCEP, 42.0% by IDF) and 18.7% by WHO. As many as 63.4% had MetS by any definition, while only 9.4% fulfilled all the criteria of the three definitions. The association of cardiac risk factors also varied according to the definition used. hsCRP was significantly elevated in MetS compared to non-MetS. Body mass index, waist circumference and HDL-C were associated in MetS defined by NCEP and IDF. FRS was higher in MetS defined by Adult Treatment Panel and WHO definitions. An increase in urine albumin and a decrease in eGFR were associated with MetS individuals defined by WHO only. Conclusion: There is a wide variation in the prevalence of MetS and associated cardiac risk factors according to three different definitions used. The different cardiac risk factors among MetS also vary with the definitions used. However, hsCRP and emerging risk factor are significantly elevated in hypertensive individuals with MetS as defined by all definitions