Impact of the Defining Criteria and Components of Metabolic Syndrome on Arterial Stiffness Parameters

Background: Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Since the first description of MS, several definitions have been elaborated (IDF, AHA, Who, NCEP). Arterial stiffness is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in various groups of patients. Aim: The purpose of present study was to investigate the impact of the different definitions of MS on arterial stiffness. Material and Methods: we investigated 214 patients, mean age 60.04±9.98 years. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using TensioMed TM Arteriograph. Results: Using the three definitions of the metabolic syndrome – IDF 2005, AHA, NCEP -, a proportion of 71.5% (153 patients), 72.9% (156 patients) and 62.1% (133 patients), respectively, had metabolic syndrome. Pulse wave velocity in the group of patients with metabolic syndrome was increased compared to those without metabolic syndrome, but the difference was not statistically significant (IDF - 10.37±2.13m/sec vs 10.04±2.21m/sec, AHA 10.40±2.14m/sec vs 9.93±2.19m/sec, NCEP 10.47±1.86m/sec vs 9.95±2.55m/sec). A statistically significant difference between pulse wave velocity in men with metabolic syndrome compared to those without metabolic syndrome was found, the relationship being not true in women. Conclusion: Patients with MS (especially men) have increased arterial stiffness parameters than those without metabolic syndrome. All the three definitions used have the same ability to identify patients with arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness parameters are more altered as the number of criteria for the definition of metabolic syndrome increases, regardless of the definition used.