Cardiometabolic syndrome

Abstract

Cardiometabolic syndrome is a common condition that is increasing in prevalence in the USA and developing nations. Epidemiological studies indicate a strong association between cardiometabolic syndrome and subsequent risks for diabetes and cardiovascular events. Accumulating evidence suggests it may also be a risk factor for incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular events in individuals with pre-existing CKD. In studies of nondiabetic individuals, cardiometabolic syndrome was associated with a 30-100% increased risk for incident CKD. Among individuals with advanced CKD, cardiometabolic syndrome was associated with >100% increased risk for cardiovascular events, but findings in individuals with earlier stages of CKD were not consistent. Furthermore, the clinical utility of this syndrome and, in particular, its role in risk prediction, remains uncertain. Whereas the syndrome appears to be of value in identifying nondiabetic individuals at risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CKD, it is unclear whether the diagnosis of cardiometabolic syndrome carries specific therapeutic implications. At present, most guidelines recommend therapies targeted at lifestyle modification and treatment of individual risk factors, whereas the role of pharmacological therapies targeting insulin resistance needs further study © 2010 Springer-Verlag Milan.