Diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome: caucasians versus African-Americans.
BACKGROUND
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors used to identify individuals at greatest risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early diagnosis of CVD would benefit African-Americans (AA), who have a higher prevalence of and mortality rate from CVD compared to Caucasians (CA). Two definitions for metabolic syndrome were used to classify healthy CA and AA, and evaluate how other CVD risk factors [C-reactive protein (CRP), percent body fat, fitness level, insulin resistance, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] changed metabolic syndrome classification.


METHODS
Healthy AA (n = 97) and CA (n = 51) ranging from normal weight to obese, 18-45 years of age, with neither hypertension nor diabetes, were evaluated for cardiorespiratory fitness, height, weight, percent body fat, hip and waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), and fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides, HDL, non-HDL-C, and CRP. Participants were classified as meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III 2004 (NCEP ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions.


RESULTS
Significant ethnic differences (P < 0.01) in classification were noted for both metabolic syndrome definitions (NCEP ATP III, CA = 16.7% vs. AA = 5.7%; IDF, CA = 23.5% vs. AA = 8.2%). Ethnic differences were eliminated when fitness level or percent body fat was included as a criterion.


CONCLUSIONS
If diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is intended for early recognition of CVD risk and slowing CVD development, current definitions for metabolic syndrome will not capture healthy AA. Health-care providers may consider assessing percent body fat and participation in regular exercise, because these criteria would help identify AA at risk.
Departments of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Stacey A
SA
Zeno
Patricia A
PA
Deuster
Jennifer L
JL
Davis
Su-Jong
SJ
Kim-Dorner
Alan T
AT
Remaley
Merrily
M
Poth
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis; D055105:Waist Circumference; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides