Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is generally defined as a cluster/complex of
factors that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes
(T2DM), including hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypertension,
hypertriglyceridemia, decreased HDL-cholesterol concentration and central obesity.
MetS is a health problem whose prevalence is increasing worldwide and negatively
affects people's lives. Although MetS is essentially insulin resistance (IR), is not
considered a disease, it consists of a combination of many risk factors that force the
body metabolism to work abnormally. In addition to factors such as sedentary lifestyle
and nutrition, hereditary factors are also important in the formation of MetS. The main
components of MetS can be listed as hyperglycemia, hypertension, obesity and
dyslipidemia. MetS has different definitions for different organizations. The basic
components of these definitions are waist circumference, IR, high blood pressure and
dyslipidemia (high triglyceride, low HDL cholesterol). The most recently agreed upon
diagnostic criteria for MetS are increased waist circumference (society and country
specific), high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and high fasting
blood glucose. For diagnosis, the presence of at least 3 of these parameters is required.
When countries are examined in terms of the prevalence of MetS, different results are
obtained from each country. The most important factor affecting the incidence of MetS
in a country is the percentage of obesity and abdominal obesity in that country.
Although obesity and physical activity factors have an impact on the incidence of
MetS, it is an undeniable fact that genetic factors also have a significant impact.
Lifestyle changes are at the core of MetS treatment. People with this syndrome need to
change their diet, increase their physical activity and lose weight. Determining MetS
risk levels and predisposing risk factors, determining whether they meet diagnostic
criteria, and raising awareness through education and consultancy activities will be
effective in combating the prevalence of MetS and cardiovascular risk factors.
Keywords: Diagnostic criteria, Metabolic syndrome, Management, Pathophysiology.
