OBJECTIVES: We compared the prevalence and extent of coronary artery
calcium (CAC) among persons with the metabolic syndrome (MetS),
diabetes, and neither condition. BACKGROUND: The prevalence and extent
of CAC has not been compared among those with MetS, diabetes, or
neither condition. METHODS: Of 1,823 persons (36% female) age 20 to 79
years who had screening for CAC by computed tomography, 279 had MetS,
150 had diabetes, and the remainder (n = 1,394) had neither condition.
Metabolic syndrome was defined with >or=3 of the following: body
mass index >or=30 kg/m(2); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
<40 mg/dl if male or <50 mg/dl if female; triglycerides
>or=150 mg/dl; blood pressure >or=130/85 mm Hg or on treatment;
or fasting glucose 110 to 125 mg/dl. The prevalence and odds of any and
significant (>or=75th percentile) CAC among these groups and by
number of MetS risk factors were determined. RESULTS: Those with
neither MetS nor diabetes, MetS, or diabetes had a prevalence of CAC of
53.5%, 58.8%, and 75.3% (p < 0.001), respectively, among men and
37.6%, 50.8%, and 52.6% (p < 0.001), respectively, among women.
Coronary artery calcium increased by the number (0 to 5) of MetS risk
factors (from 34.0% to 58.3%) (p < 0.001). Forty-one percent of
subjects with MetS had either a >20% 10-year risk of CHD or CAC
>or=75th percentile for age and gender. Risk factor-adjusted odds
for the presence of CAC were 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to
1.87) among those with MetS and 1.67 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.50) among those
with diabetes, versus those with neither condition. CONCLUSIONS: Those
with MetS or diabetes have an increased likelihood of CAC compared with
those having neither condition. |