The metabolic syndrome and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis: the Northern Manhattan Study.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a distinctive phenotype associated with an increased risk of vascular disease. Carotid plaque is a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a powerful predictor of vascular outcomes. The relationship between the MetS and subclinical atherosclerosis in multiethnic populations has not been well characterized. The authors have evaluated the association of the MetS with subclinical atherosclerosis among 1895 community residents from the Northern Manhattan Study (mean age, 68.0+/-9.7 years; 59% women; 25% black; 22% white; 51% Hispanic). The prevalence of the MetS was 41% (35% in men, 45% in women), and 57% of subjects had carotid plaque. In a multivariate-adjusted logistic regression model, the MetS was a significant predictor of plaque presence (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.67). Additionally, the number of MetS components was significantly associated with plaque prevalence. Further studies are needed to understand the role of the MetS in the progression from subclinical to clinical atherosclerotic disease.