Metabolic syndrome related to cardiovascular events in a 10-year prospective study

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) becomes a serious society health problem. The main risk factors of MetS are related to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, appearance of stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus and the growing risk of mortality. MetS stimulates the appearance of early atherosclerosis, its progress and accelerates the frequency of cardiovascular complications related to atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke) among the individuals with MetS in a 10 year prospective study; to identify MetS components that determine risk and character of cardiovascular events. METHODS: The study design was prospective. It was started in 2003 to assess the risk factors, clinical components, diagnostic criteria of MetS. At the second stage in 2013 the individuals were repeatedly invited to evaluate cardiovascular pathology that was confirmed by cardiologist and neurologist. The 45 years old and older citizens of Lithuanian district participated in the study. 1115 individuals (562 men and 553 women) were randomly selected in 2003. 538 respondents: 278 (51.70 %) men and 260 (48.30 %) women participated in the repeated study in 2013. RESULTS: During the study myocardial infarction (MI) was confirmed to 7.43 % individuals taken part in the study, stroke—to 4.28 % individuals. The odds’ ratio (OR) of MI between individuals with MetS and without MetS was 1.80 (95 % CI 1.67–1.97), p < 0.05. The OR of stroke for individuals with MetS and without MetS was 2.05 (95 % CI 1.21–2.54), p < 0.05. The OR of MI between men with abdominal obesity and identified MetS was 3.12 (95 % CI 2.77–3.53), p < 0.05. The OR of stroke between men with low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and identified MetS was 4.98 (95 % CI 4.40–5.65), p < 0.05. The OR of stroke between men with hypertriglyceridemia and identified MetS was 8.43 (95 % CI 7.45–9.54), p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with identified MetS have 1.80 and 2.05 times higher statistically significant probability, respectively, for MI and stroke events, than individuals without MetS. Separate components or MetS increase risk of cardiovascular events in men: abdominal obesity increases risk of MI, and low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia increase risk of stroke.