Carotid atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease in the metabolic syndrome: prospective data from the Bruneck study.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed at prospectively evaluating carotid atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
Within a prospective population-based survey examining 888 subjects aged 40-79 years, 303 subjects were identified as fulfilling World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and 158 as fulfilling the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult Treatment Panel (ATP)-III criteria for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome. The 5-year change in carotid status, as assessed by echo-duplex scanning, and incident fatal and nonfatal CHD, as assessed by medical history and death certificates, were compared in subjects with the metabolic syndrome and in the rest of the sample (control subjects).


RESULTS
Compared with the control subjects, subjects with the metabolic syndrome by WHO criteria had an increased 5-year incidence and progression of carotid atherosclerosis: 51 vs. 35% developed new plaques (P = 0.021) and 34 vs. 19% developed carotid stenosis >40% (P = 0.002) after adjusting for several confounders. Subjects with the metabolic syndrome by these criteria also had an increased incidence of CHD during follow-up: 8 vs. 3% in control subjects (P = 0.012). Similar results were found when the NCEP-ATPIII criteria were used.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with the metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for both progressive carotid atherosclerosis and CHD.
Bonora
Enzo
E
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy. enzobonora@virgilio.it
Kiechl
Stefan
S
Willeit
Johann
J
Oberhollenzer
Friedrich
F
Egger
Georg
G
Bonadonna
Riccardo C
RC
Muggeo
Michele
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors