[The metabolic syndrome--time to introduce the diagnosis in routine health care? Reflections on a current American report].
Two recently published reports from American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have addressed the management of the metabolic syndrome. It is of importance to present the content of these reports and to discuss the management of the metabolic syndrome in Swedish health care. Today there are official definitions of the metabolic syndrome from the US and also definitions issued by the WHO. The American criteria have been developed with the aim to be used in clinical practice whereas the definitions from the WHO are partly based upon examinations, which are not routinely used in the routine care. The metabolic syndrome is common among men and women and increases in parallel with increasing age. Overweight and obesity are among the most important factors in the syndrome, which may be expected to increase because of the increasing incidence of obesity. The metabolic syndrome according to the two definitions has in several studies been shown to strongly increase the risk for type 2 diabetes and are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Treatment of the syndrome must first of all be focused on changing diet and physical exercise habits. Drug therapy can be used for individual components in the syndrome such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Although there is still a need of further research in order to develop the knowledge of underlying mechanisms, improve risk assessment and treatment, there are now sufficient data and experiences to introduce the concept of the metabolic syndrome in clinical practice in the Swedish health care.
Fagerberg
Björn
B
Medicin Sahlgrenska, Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset, Göteborg. bjorn.fagerberg@medfak.gu.se
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose