Metabolic syndrome in subjects with type-2 diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Each component of metabolic syndrome (MS) conveys increased cardiovascular disease risk, but as a combination they become much more powerful. Vigorous early management of the syndrome may have a significant impact on the prevention of both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to determine the frequency of occurrence of MS and its relation to cardiovascular events among patients with type-2 diabetic mellitus.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 218 type-2 diabetic patients. These were screened for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, microalbuminuria, and cardiovascular events.


RESULTS
There were 128 (58.7%) males and 90 (41.3%) females. The mean age was 53.4 +/- 6.3 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 25.5 +/- 5.4 (males-23.4 +/- 4.2; females-26.2 +/- 5.7). MS was present in 55 (25.2%) of the study population. Systemic hypertension was the most common component of MS seen in 84 (38.5%) patients. The mean serum total cholesterol was 168.6 +/- 25.8 mg% (men 153 +/- 23; women 169 +/- 19; p > 0.05). Eight female and 12 male patients had serum total cholesterol > or = 200 mg%. Dyslipidemia occurs more commonly in males than females. Obesity was more common in female patients than in males. Out of 128 male type-2 patients with diabetes seen, 111 (86.7%) were without microalbuminuria. The corresponding figure among the females was 90% (81 out of 90 patients).


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that MS was present in 25.2% of the study population. The syndrome and its different components were positively associated with a higher risk of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and occurrence of microalbuminuria, p < 0.001. Ischemic heart disease occurs rarely in the population. A long-term, targeted, intensive intervention involving multiple cardiovascular risk factors is recommended to reduce the risk of both cardiovascular and microvascular events among patients with type-2 diabetic mellitus.
Alebiosu
Christopher Olutayo
CO
Department of Medicine, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, PMB 2001 Sagamu, Nigeria. dralechristo@yahoo.com
Odusan
B Olatunde
BO
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors