Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Background Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been reported to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of CAD in patients with MS, and to compare each component of the syndrome in patients with and without CAD. Methods 205 patients with MS who underwent elective coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. MS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) /Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. All patients were divided in two groups according to the presence of CAD. Results The proportion of MS patients with CAD was significantly higher compared to those without CAD (72.68 % vs.27.32 %, pless than0.001). Patients with CAD had higher levels of fasting blood glucose (78.50 % vs.46.40 %, pless than0.001) and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (74.03 % vs.25.97 %, pless than0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding triglycerides levels (75.80 % vs.80.40 %, p=0.493). Patients with CAD were less likely to have a high waist circumference (67.10 % vs.84.00 %, p=0.001) and to be hypertensive (43.00 % vs.57.10 %, p=0.049). Conclusion MS and especially hyperglycemia and low HDL-cholesterol are associated with CAD. High waist circumference and hypertension were more prevalent in patients without CAD. There was no significant difference regarding elevated triglycerides in patients with and without CAD.