METABOLIC SYNDROME

Question 1

In the NCEP: ATP III 2001 criteria, low HDL cholesterol levels are defined as:
A. <50 mg/dL for men and women
B. <50 mg/dL for women and <40 mg/dL for men
C. <40 mg/dL for men and women
D. <40 mg/dL for women and <50 mg/dL for men

Answer 1

Answer: B. <50 mg/dL for women and <40 mg/dL for men
Rationale: The NCEP: ATP III 2001 criteria specifically set the HDL cholesterol threshold as <50 mg/dL for women and <40 mg/dL for men. These values indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Question 2

For fasting plasma glucose, the Harmonizing Definition includes which threshold for diagnosing metabolic syndrome?
A. ≥110 mg/dL
B. ≥100 mg/dL
C. ≥120 mg/dL
D. ≥90 mg/dL

Answer 2

Answer: B. ≥100 mg/dL
Rationale: The Harmonizing Definition specifies a fasting plasma glucose threshold of ≥100 mg/dL (or drug treatment for elevated glucose). This value reflects the lower threshold adopted by many guidelines to identify early glucose dysregulation.

Question 3

According to the NCEP: ATP III 2001 criteria, a triglyceride level of ___ or greater qualifies as a metabolic syndrome component.
A. ≥100 mg/dL
B. ≥120 mg/dL
C. ≥150 mg/dL
D. ≥180 mg/dL

Answer 3

Answer: C. ≥150 mg/dL
Rationale: Both the NCEP: ATP III 2001 and Harmonizing Definition criteria set the triglyceride threshold for metabolic syndrome at ≥150 mg/dL or the use of specific medication to lower triglycerides.

Question 4

What is the minimum number of criteria required to diagnose metabolic syndrome according to both NCEP: ATP III 2001 and the Harmonizing Definition?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five

Answer 4

Answer: B. Three
Rationale: Both the NCEP: ATP III 2001 and the Harmonizing Definition require that at least three out of the listed criteria be met to diagnose metabolic syndrome.

Question 5

What is the key feature of the metabolic syndrome that strongly correlates with the syndrome’s prevalence and cardiovascular risk?
A. Total body fat
B. Visceral adipose tissue
C. Low HDL cholesterol
D. Elevated triglycerides

Answer 5

Answer: B. Visceral adipose tissue
Rationale: Visceral adipose tissue (as indicated by increased waist circumference) is the key feature strongly associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome prevalence, and cardiovascular risk.

Question 6

Which of the following lipid abnormalities is considered part of the metabolic syndrome criteria in both definitions?
A. Elevated total cholesterol
B. Elevated LDL cholesterol
C. Hypertriglyceridemia
D. Reduced lipoprotein(a)

Answer 6

Answer: C. Hypertriglyceridemia
Rationale: Both definitions include hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dL or specific medication) as a criterion for metabolic syndrome. Elevated total or LDL cholesterol is not explicitly listed.