Metabolic syndrome more strongly related to risk of atherosclerosis in the cerebrovascular than the peripheral circulation
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Whether global cardiovascular risk afforded by the metabolic syndrome extends beyond the summative risks of its core components (central obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension) and/or of the associated systemic inflammation remains debated, especially with respect to the impact on regional circulatory systems. This population-based study aimed to investigate whether metabolic syndrome (modified National Cholesterol Education Program criteria) was associated with risk of cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial disease. A total of 762 subjects aged 55-74 years participated in the study and were followed-up for up to 15 years. Among the 762 study participants, 267 presented with metabolic syndrome at baseline, whereas 69 developed cerebrovascular disease and 108 peripheral arterial disease events during follow-up. After adjusting for age and sex, metabolic syndrome was strongly associated with cerebrovascular disease. This relationship remained significant after further adjusting for conventional risk factors, haemostatic and inflammatory markers. In contrast, the association between metabolic syndrome and peripheral arterial disease did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, metabolic syndrome is more strongly associated with risk of atherosclerosis in the cerebrovascular than in the peripheral circulation, independently of conventional risk factors, haemostatic and inflammatory markers.
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