Association of metabolic syndrome and its individual components with outcomes among patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Am Heart J. 2014 Aug;168(2):182-8.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2014.04.009. Epub 2014 Apr 24.

Abstract

Background: The relationship of metabolic syndrome and its individual components (obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance, high triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) with 1-year mortality in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) patients is not known.

Methods: The association of metabolic syndrome (and its individual components) with all-cause mortality within 1 year was assessed in NSTE ACS patients enrolled in the EARLY ACS trial. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CIs are reported.

Results: Of 9,406 patients, 2,596 (27.6%) had metabolic syndrome. Compared with those without metabolic syndrome, patients with this syndrome were younger, were more often female, and had a higher prevalence of comorbid conditions and higher-risk presenting features. Metabolic syndrome was not associated with increased 1-year mortality (HR 1.20, 95% CI 0.97-1.47; P = .09). The risk of 1-year mortality varied across the individual components: high-density lipoprotein <40 mg/dL (men)/<50 mg/dL (women; or dyslipidemia) was associated with higher risk (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.15-2.02), and triglycerides >150 mg/dL (or dyslipidemia) was associated with lower risk (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.54-0.81), whereas the other components (ie, body mass index >30 kg/m(2), fasting plasma glucose >100 mg/dL or diabetes, systolic blood pressure >130 mm Hg or diastolic >85 mm Hg [or hypertension]) were associated with neutral risk of this event.

Conclusions: The individual components of metabolic syndrome had varying associations with 1-year mortality, and as an integrated diagnosis, metabolic syndrome was not significantly associated with 1-year mortality. Thus, patient case-mix of the studied NSTE ACS population may influence the observed relationship of metabolic syndrome with subsequent cardiovascular events.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / mortality*
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Body Mass Index
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / mortality
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Risk Adjustment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Blood Glucose