title: Metabolic syndrome in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and coronary or cerebrovascular disease is increasing, but it is not known whether this association also exists in patients with isolated PAD. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of MS in patients with PAD who had no coronary or cerebrovascular disease, the prescription rate of evidence-based cardiovascular therapies and the attainment of therapeutic goals in patients with PAD and with and without MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter, cross-sectional study of 3.934 patients aged ≥ 45 years with isolated PAD who were treated in primary care and specialized outpatient clinics during 2009. A diagnosis of PAD was reached for ankle brachial indices <0.9, a previous history of amputation or revascularization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the overall population, the mean age was 67.6 years, 73.8% were males and 63% had MS (95% CI 61.5-64.3%). Patients with MS had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities, more severe PAD and higher prescription rate of evidence-based cardiovascular therapies. After adjusting for risk factors and comorbidity, there was a more frequent use of renin-angiotensin system blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics and statins among the patients with MS. A lower percentage of patients with MS achieved the therapeutic goals for blood pressure (22% vs. 41.5%, p<0.001). Similarly, a lower percentage of patients with diabetes achieved the glycated hemoglobin goals (44% vs. 53.1%, p<0.001), with no differences in LDL-cholesterol levels (29.8% vs. 39.1%, p=0.265).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with PAD have a high prevalence of MS. Patients with MS do not attain therapeutic goals as frequently as those without, despite taking more cardiovascular drugs.
authors: Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España. Electronic address: evaestirado@gmail.com.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Estirado
authors: Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Lahoz
authors: Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Laguna
authors: Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: García-Iglesias
authors: Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España.
authors: M T
authors: MT
authors: González-Alegre
authors: Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Mostaza
keywords: Arterial hypertension; Colesterol-LDL; Diabetes mellitus; Enfermedad arterial periférica; Hipertensión arterial; LDL-cholesterol; Metabolic syndrome; Peripheral arterial disease; Síndrome metabólico