Metabolic Syndrome – Epidemiological Problem?

The main components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are abdominal obesity, hypertension, lipid disorders such as aterogenic dyslipidemia and carbohydrates disorders such as impaired fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus type 2 The first definition of MetS was described by Reaven in 1988 and was named as syndrome X. In the United States of America, the metabolic syndrome affects about 25 % of US adults. In Poland, data based on NATPOL PLUS study, according to NCEP-ATP III criteria, metabolic syndrome was ascertained in 20.3% of adult inhabitants, and taking into account IDF criteria MetS was recognized in 26.2% of investigated people. All components of the metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension and lipid disturbances (atherogenic dyslipidemia) together with age become more and more frequent, which leads to the increase of MetS in general population. The diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome is connected with about 3-4-times increase of the cardiovascular risk and it is to separate patients with cardiovascular episodes in possibly earliest clinical phase. It is diagnosed more and more frequently connected mostly with the increase of the number of people with the abdominal stoutness and growing insulin resistance. It is the world epidemiological problem, which should be fought against on the spot. It is an indication to initiate a suitable diet and the recommendation of a suitable physical effort for the purpose of initial prophylaxis. Certainly, pharmacological treatment should be initiated if necessary.