Metabolic Syndrome May Increase Risk Of Early Mortality

New findings published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism show that metabolic syndrome could increase the risk of early death.

The condition is characterized by three or more weight-related risk factors, including high levels of bad cholesterol coupled with low levels of good cholesterol as well as singular conditions like hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

The findings elaborate on the dangerous trend across the United States.

"When evaluating trends from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012, overall prevalence of the metabolic syndrome remained stable, as did prevalence trends among men and all race/ethnic groups, whereas prevalence among women decreased from 39.4 percent in 2007-2008 to 36.6 percent in 2011-2012," the study researchers explained, in a news release, adding that obesity prevalence in the United States seems to have stabilized, contributing to the prevalence of the health issue. 

For the study, they examined records on 155,971 people who participated in a health screening program at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between 2002 and 2009. Participants were required to complete questionnaires and had their body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar measured.  

"The analysis tells us diabetes and high blood pressure are significant factors that elevate the risk of death from cardiovascular disease among people with metabolic syndrome," concluded study author Prof Eun-Jung Rhee, MD, PhD, of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine. "Younger people who have metabolic syndrome should be aware of the risk, particularly those who have diabetes and high blood pressure." 

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