Characteristic features of Metabolic Syndrome X among Nigerians with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome X [MSX] is a cluster of diseases each of which carries grave risk for severe vascular events. There is paucity of report on the presence and features of MSX among Nigerians and indeed, Africans with type2 Diabetes Mellitus [DM]. Materials and Methods; Ninety-six patients who met the WHO criteria for MSX and another 96 who did not meet the criteria were selected among patients with type2 DM attending the out-patient department LUTH, Lagos. They were physically examined and laboratory investigations were carried out on them. Results; The best index of obesity found to correlate well with other indices was the waist circumference. The mean triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were higher in patients with MSX. Microalbuminuria was more prevalent [44.8%] among patients with MSX and was proportional to patient's age and the duration of DM. Conclusion; MSX should be looked for among patients with DM and attention paid to their peculiar CVS risks.