The metabolic syndrome: targeting dyslipidaemia to reduce coronary risk.

The metabolic syndrome is a complex constellation of disorders, each one a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increasing prevalence of this condition is a major concern for healthcare providers both in Europe and North America. The concern surrounding the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is reflected in the recently published National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Although complex in nature, the individual components of the metabolic syndrome appear to be linked by the presence of insulin resistance. Concurrently treating the underlying insulin resistance along with the complex array of other disorders should form the core of any management strategy. Treatment of atherogenic dyslipidaemia should be a major aim, since it is associated with a significant risk of CVD. While lifestyle modifications form the cornerstone of any dyslipidaemia management strategy, many patients require the addition of lipid-modifying drugs. Several agents are available for the treatment of lipid abnormalities, including fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, niacin and hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins). Of these, statins should be used as the first treatment option in the majority of patients because they are efficacious for reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, are effective across the lipid profile and are well tolerated in the majority of cases. Furthermore, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends statins as first-line pharmacological treatment of dyslipidaemia in patients with diabetes mellitus. This review discusses the diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome and examines the potential of future treatment options.