Metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities with a high prevalence worldwide, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The main features of metabolic syndrome are: central obesity, hy­per­tri­glyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterol levels, high blood glucose, insulin resistance and arterial hypertension. Se­veral factors are involved in the etiopathogenesis of me­ta­bo­lic syndrome, a central role having the insulin re­sis­tance. The symptoms of this syndrome belong to its com­po­nents and the diagnosis requires simple clinical and paraclinical criteria, available in family medicine prac­tices. The management is a complex one and in­clu­des primarily lifestyle changes. The role of general practitioner is im­por­tant in the screening and management of me­ta­bo­lic syndrome to prevent the number of cases of obe­si­ty, dia­betes and cardiovascular disease, as well as the com­pli­ca­tions of these diseases.