Metabolic syndrome X: A review

Metabolic syndrome X is a multifaceted syndrome, which occurs frequently in the general population. It is more common in men than in women. A large se gment of the adult population of industrialized countries develops the meta bolic syndrome, produced by genetic, hormonal and lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and certain nutrient excesses. This disease i s characterized by the clustering of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemi a, and is often associated with dyslipidemia (atherogenic plasma lipid prof ile), essential hypertension, abdominal (visceral) obesity, glucose intoler ance or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and an increased risk of car diovascular events. Abnormalities of blood coagulation (higher plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and fibrinogen levels), hyperuricemia and microa lbuminuria have also been found in metabolic syndrome X. This review summar izes the present knowledge of abnormalities in this syndrome. Each risk fac tor is reviewed, and potential criteria for diagnosis and therapeutic targe ts are discussed. Because patients with metabolic syndrome X accumulate car diac risk factors, they should be given special attention in terms of diagn osis and treatment.