title: Remission of screen-detected metabolic syndrome and its determinants: an observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early detection and treatment of the metabolic syndrome may prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to assess remission of the metabolic syndrome and its determinants after a population based screening without predefined intervention in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2006 we detected 406 metabolic syndrome cases (The National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) definition) among apparently healthy individuals with an increased waist circumference. They received usual care in a primary care setting. After three years metabolic syndrome status was re-measured. We evaluated which baseline determinants were independently associated with remission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The remission rate among the 194 participants was 53%. Baseline determinants independently associated with a remission were the presence of more than three metabolic syndrome components (OR 0.46) and higher levels of waist circumference (OR 0.91), blood pressure (OR 0.98) and fasting glucose (OR 0.60).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a population with screen-detected metabolic syndrome receiving usual care, more than half of the participants achieved a remission after three years. This positive result after a relatively simple strategy provides a solid basis for a nation-wide implementation. Not so much socio-demographic variables but a higher number and level of the metabolic syndrome components were predictors of a lower chance of remission. In such cases, primary care physicians should be extra alert.
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA, Utrecht, Netherlands. c.denengelsen-2@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: Corine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: den Engelsen
authors.forename: Kees J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Gorter
authors.forename: Philippe L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Salomé
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van den Donk
authors.forename: Guy E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Rutten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012307:Risk Factors