Metabolic Syndrome

Question 1

What criteria does the International Diabetes Federation use to diagnose Metabolic Syndrome?

Answer 1

• Central obesity:
  
  • Waist circumference of Europid men > 94cm and women >80cm
    
    • Values vary for other ethnicities.

And any of the following:

1. Elevated triglycerides: >1.7 mmol/L or treatment for triglyceride abnormalities.
2. Reduced HDL:
   
   • < 1.03 mmol/L in males
   • < 1.29 mmol/L in females
   • Or specific treatment for HDL abnormality.
3. Raised blood pressure: >130/85mmHg or active treatment for hypertension
4. Raised fasting plasma glucose >5.6mmol/L or previously diagnosed T2DM.

Question 2

What other features are associated with metabolic syndrome?

Answer 2

• Raised uric acid levels
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• PCOS

Question 3

Does a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome need to be made in order to consider the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 3

No. Decisions on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease should be made using standard tools and are not dependant on whether a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is made.