Resumen

BARRERA, María del P et al. Metabolic syndrome: an interdisciplinary outlook. Rev. Col. Cardiol. [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.3, pp.111-126. ISSN 0120-5633.

The metabolic syndrome is characterized by the presence of alterations such as insulin resistance manifested by hyperinsulinism and its association with pathologies like obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia. There are other risk factors like overweight, obesity, high carbohydrate and fat intake, cigarette smoking and sedentary life style. Several different groups have reviewed the metabolic syndrome concept: the World Health Organization, the European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance, the American College of Clinical Endocrinology, the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults and the International Diabetes Federation. Different prevalence values are reported by epidemiologic studies depending on the population studied and on the diagnostic criteria; nevertheless, all of them depict an important public health problem. The core of the syndrome alterations resides in the insulin resistance that comprises a pro-inflammatory state that diminishes insulin capacity to act in the target organs. The visceral adipose tissue synthesizes big amounts of hormones and interleukins that influence the associated metabolic alterations. Primary and secondary preventive measures are necessary in order to diminish morbimortality and by this, achieve important effects in society and in the individuals’ life quality. The treatment considers non-pharmacologic aspects and prescription of medicines when necessary. The pharmacologic treatment must consider the control of cardiovascular risk factors.

Palabras clave : metabolic syndrome; insulin resistance; cardiovascular disease; diagnostic criteria; prevalence; prevention; treatment.

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