Association between the metabolic syndrome and parental history of premature cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study is to assess the association between the metabolic syndrome (MS) and parental history of cardiovascular disease (CVD).


RESULTS
Participants were recruited in a population survey of 3441 men and women, aged 35-64. MS was defined with NCEP-III guidelines. Familial history of myocardial infarction (MI), angina, and stroke was assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Parental premature CVD was defined if CVD occurred before 55/65 years in the father/mother. A total of 390 men and 281 women had MS. Positive parental CVD was associated with MS in women (43.0 vs. 36.8%, P<0.001) but not in men (36.9 vs. 31.8%, P=0.06). Similarly, parental premature CVD was associated with MS in women (19.2 vs. 11.8%, P<0.0007) but not in men (11.1 vs. 11.1%, ns). In women with MS, the age, centre, and educational level adjusted odds ratios [OR (95% CI)] of having a positive parental premature stroke was 1.84 (1.0-3.38), P=0.049. This OR was 1.76 (1.23-2.76), P=0.007 for combined parental premature MI and stroke and 1.67 (1.17-2.38), P=0.004 for combined premature MI, stroke, and angina. After further adjustment on personal coronary heart disease and CVD risk factors, the ORs of having a positive parental history of combined premature MI and stroke [1.75 (1.11-2.76), P=0.016] or MI, stroke, and angina [1.79 (1.21-2.63), P=0.003], remained statistically significant, in women with MS.


CONCLUSIONS
The MS is associated with parental premature CVD independently of classical CV risk factors, suggesting that MS is a contributor to the familial aggregation of premature CVD.
Dallongeville
Jean
J
INSERM U508, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1 rue du Pr Calmette, 59019 Lille Cedex, France. jean.dallongeville@pasteur-lille.fr
Grupposo
Marie-Catherine
MC
Cottel
Dominique
D
Ferrières
Jean
J
Arveiler
Dominique
D
Bingham
Annie
A
Ruidavets
Jean-Bernard
JB
Haas
Bernadette
B
Ducimetière
Pierre
P
Amouyel
Philippe
P
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors