Association of metabolic syndrome with carotid atherosclerosis in the young North Indian population

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components are associated with increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Relationship of MetS to carotid atherosclerosis has not been documented well in North Indian population.Aims(1) To determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome in asymptomatic healthy young North Indian population; (2) to evaluate individuals with MetS patients for carotid atherosclerosis by carotid duplex ultrasound examination; (3) to determine the significance of each component of MetS in relation to carotid atherosclerosis in these patients.Methods440 individuals in the age group of 25–50 years, asymptomatic for cardiac or cerebrovascular disease were screened for metabolic syndrome. 162 patients from a hospital-based population fulfilled the criteria for MetS (as per NCEP ATP III criteria). Duplex ultrasound (DU) examination of extracranial carotid vessels was performed on all the subjects. 112 age- and sex-matched controls were screened, and they underwent DU examination for comparison.ResultsHypertriglyceridemia was the commonest component seen in 79.6% of the MetS subjects, followed by central obesity seen in 74.6% subjects. Carotid atherosclerotic disease was observed in 21.6% of patients with MetS. Mild atherosclerosis (intima media thickness (IMT) >0.09 cm) was observed in 82.8% and 17.3% had plaques with mild stenosis (<50%) in the extracranial carotid arteries. Among patients of MetS with carotid atherosclerotic disease 82.6% had hypertriglyceridemia and 71.5% had 4 or more components for MetS. Among controls, five subjects (4.46%) had evidence of mild carotid atherosclerosis (IMT >0.09 cm) on DU. MetS was significantly associated with carotid DU abnormalities (increased IMT >0.09 cm) compared to controls (Fischer's exact test p < 0.0001). Univariate analysis showed the relationship of hypertriglyceridemia to carotid atherosclerosis (p = 0.03). On multivariate regression analysis none of the individual components of MetS contributed significantly to the presence of carotid atherosclerosis.ConclusionsMetS is common in asymptomatic healthy North Indian population, with hypertriglyceridemia being the commonest component of MetS in this population, which may be predictive of carotid atherosclerotic disease. Serum triglyceride estimation can serve as a screen for asymptomatic healthy subjects to select the target population for cerebrovascular disease prevention.

► Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has a high prevalence (∼37%) among asymptomatic North Indian population.
► Carotid atherosclerotic disease occurs in asymptomatic young North Indian population with MetS.
► Serum triglyceride levels can be used as a screen to detect high-risk population.
► MetS needs to be targeted as a complex rather than highlighting individual risk factor.