Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Microvascular and Macrovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is high. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MetS and micro- and macrovascular disease in patients with diabetes and the associated risk factors.

METHODS: The study enrolled 1,986 (854 men and 1,132 women) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from outpatient clinics. MetS was defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III for Asians.

RESULTS: Of the enrolled patients, 1,363 had MetS and 623 did not. The patients with MetS had significantly higher rates of albuminuria (40.8% vs. 21.8%, P < 0.001), retinopathy (37.9% vs. 28.6%, P < 0.001), coronary artery disease (19.4% vs. 11.6%, P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (5.8% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.014), and an ankle-brachial index < 0.9 or ≥ 1.3 (6.1% vs. 3.0%, P = 0.015). Moreover, there were significant trends for stepwise increases in albuminuria, retinopathy, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral artery disease corresponding to the number of MetS components (all P for trend < 0.05). Risk factors including MetS, old age, sex, wide pulse pressure, increased hemoglobin A1c , dyslipidemia and decline renal function were associated with micro- and macrovascular disease.

CONCLUSIONS: MetS and the number of its components were significantly associated with micro- and macrovascular disease in the study patients with diabetes and this resulted in a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Screening programs to allow for early detection and interventions should be established to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.