Metabolic syndrome (also known as syndrome X, or insulin resistance syndrome) is a cluser of medical conditions that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (and sometimes diabetes). The WHO defines the syndrome as the presence of either diabetes, impaired fasting glucose or insulin resistance, AND, two of the following: high blood pressure, high "bad" cholesterol or triglyerides, central obesity, or microalbuminuria. (Different organizations have differing definitions; a standard definition has yet to be determined).
While type 2 diabetes is often associated with the metabolic syndrome, it is interesting that people with type 1 diabetes also have higher risk of the metabolic syndrome as well, even without the obesity. One study from Brazil found that 45% of the young women with type 1 diabetes they studied had the metabolic syndrome, despite the fact that none were obese (Momesso et al. 2010). This number, surprisingly, is consistent with other, larger studies. A Finnish study found in that 38% of men and 40% of women with type 1 diabetes also had the metabolic syndrome. These numbers are three times higher than those seen in Finns without diabetes, but lower than in people with type 2 diabetes (78-84%) (Thorn et al. 2005). An Australian study found that 15% of a group of people with type 1 diabetes had metabolic syndrome (McGill et al. 2008). These studies used different definitions of metabolic syndrome, and it remains to be determined whether this syndrome is really the same in people with different types of diabetes. Various metabolic changes are seen in both humans and animals during the period leading up to type 1 diabetes. Together they involve increased insulin secretion and increased stress on the beta cells (Sysi-Aho et al. 2011).
Like diabetes incidence, metabolic syndrome incidence is increasing. In the U.S., incidence has increased over the past 20 years in adults, and especially in young women (Mozumdar and Liguori 2010). |