Clinical Impact of Metabolic Syndrome by Modified NCEP-ATPIII Criteria on Carotid Atherosclerosis in Japanese Adults

Abstract

AIM: The present study aimed to clarify the clinical impact of modified NCEP-ATP III criteria for metabolic syndrome (MS) and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) on carotid atherosclerosis in 615 Japanese adults (319 men and 296 women) including 307 with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Waist circumference was the only component from the original NCEP-ATP III criteria based on Japanese criteria. The intima-medial thickness (IMT) and stiffness parameter beta of the carotid artery were measured by ultrasound. RESULTS: Both IMT and stiffness parameter beta were significantly increased with the number of coexisting components of MS, and higher in subjects with MS than in those without MS (all Ps < 0.0001). In a logistic regression analysis with each component of MS as independent factors, hyperglycemia and hypertension had the highest odds ratio for progressors of IMT and stiffness parameter beta , respectively. Univariate odds ratios of MS for both IMT and stiffness parameter beta were comparable with that of an increase of 10% in 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk by FRS (CHD risk/ 10%) but inferior to CHD risk by FRS >/= 20%. CONCLUSION: The modified NCEP-ATP III criteria for MS revealed an additive predictive impact on carotid atherosclerosis but no superiority to FRS.