Secondary metabolic syndrome: the frequency of factors which may underlie the parameters of metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Each of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) components (central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin resistance) may arise from an underlying disease or factors such as hormonal or pharmacological factors. These components arising secondary to a reason other than life style disturbances cause secondary MetS. The present study aimed to present, for the first time, the factors affecting secondary MetS. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: An observational study at Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, from June 2010 to February 2011. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The underlying causes in 902 MetS patients with a mean age of 53.5 (12.9) years, of whom 79% were female, were investigated. A detailed evaluation was made, which comprised a history for drugs, diseases and habits that may manifest MetS parameters, physical examination, and laboratory analysis. RESULTS: In 10.6% of the patients, hypothyroidism was determined as the main factor affecting secondary MetS, and in 4.1% the use of corticosteroid was determined as the main factor. Other factors underlie affecting secondary MetS are as follows: the use of thiazide diuretics (22.8%), beta-blockers (12.5%), antiphysichotics (2.1%), insulins (12.8%), insulin secretagog oral hypoglycemics (13.8%), thiazolidinediones (4.9%), oral contraceptives (0.8%), and alcohol intake (2.2%). CONCLUSION: Hypothyroidism and corticosteroid treatment are the leading causes of secondary MetS. While evaluating the patients, it is a prerequisite to determine the high frequency of other factors that may affect the presence and the degree of MetS parameters.