Metabolic Syndrome: Definition and Pathophysiology and #8211; the discussion goes on!

Abstract

There are a number of official definitions of Metabolic Syndrome; still there is an ongoing international debate on its existence. Metabolic syndrome is the result of highly complex interplay of a number of risk factors and not a single etiology can be assigned to it. Genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors are responsible for predisposition to the syndrome. The insight into the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome provide a practical tool to identify patients with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus type 2. Increased prevalence of the syndrome affecting quarter of the world population, might be a consequence of worldwide obesity epidemic, ageing population and increased insulin resistance.. Identification of metabolic syndrome is a public health strategy to define susceptible people, which may prompt early diagnosis of previously undetected components of metabolic syndrome. Simple life style modifications specifically at the preliminary stage of the syndrome like weight reduction, regular exercise, diet modification, decreasing the effect of insulin resistance by these modifications or drug treatment is promising in decreasing the risk of CVD and type 2 diabetes. This reference article gives a balanced overview of the current knowledge of the various definitions, pathophysiology, genetics and association between different risk factors. Keywords: Pathophysiology, Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Risk factors, Genetics.