Recomendaciones específicas para el manejo del paciente con síndrome metabólico

The term metabolic syndrome refers to a group of cardiovascular disease risk factors whose underlying pathophysiology is thought to be related to insulin resistance. This common metabolic disorder is associated to the presence of obesity. A proinflammatory and prothrombotic state probably contributes to the syndrome. The primary consequence of this syndrome is the increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The fundamental approach is weight reduction with dietary measures and increased physical activity. However, drug treatment is also appropriate for specific risk factors. Rimonabant, a selective cannabinoid type 1 receptor blocker, reduces body weight and improves metabolic risk factors in overweight or obese patients and could become the first specific drug treatment for this disorder.