- F AlSaraj: Department of Endocrinology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland. fuadsaraj@hotmail.com
BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a vascular risk factor with prevalence in the general population of 17-25%.
AIM: To determine the prevalence of MetS in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).
METHODS: A total of 200 patients [18% type 1 (T1DM), 82% type 2 (T2DM)] attending for annual review were studied. Standard blood tests were requested. Blood pressure and waist circumference were measured. Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria for diagnosis of MetS were applied.
RESULTS: A total of 122 (61%) patients had MetS. More patients with T2DM (69.5%) than TIDM (22.2%) had MetS. Despite treatment of DM (100%), hypertension (69.5%) and dyslipidaemia (48.3%), 114 patients (57%) still met the criteria for MetS at time of study.
CONCLUSIONS: Most T2DM patients have MetS but it is uncommon in T1DM. Despite treatment, almost half of patients still met the criteria for MetS. Aggressive treatment of MetS components is required to reduce cardiovascular risk in DM.