Metabolic Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Arterial Stiffness

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the risk of arterial wall stiffnes in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: 150 patients were included, in whom the PWV pulse wave velocity was determined with an Arteriograph device, a PWV ≤ 9 m/S was considered normal. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made with the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. The statistical methods used were odds ratio and Mann-Whitney U. Results: We found PWV > 9 m/S in 79 patients, 69 with metabolic syndrome. We diagnosed metabolic syndrome in 105 (70%) subjects, the odds ratio for presenting pulse wave velocity > 9 m/s in patients with metabolic syndrome was 6.7 (95 CI 2.98 to 15.08, p > 0.0001). Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of arterial stiffness, which increases the cardiovascular risk of these patients. The measurement of PWV is a safe tool that provides useful information in the global assessment of these patients, and should be part of the comprehensive study of patients with metabolic syndrome.