The metabolic syndrome: how to approach differing definitions.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a useful tool for identifying individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). The syndrome has confused practitioners because of differences in definition, though definitions have come closer together over the years; however, the principles are clear: persons who have glucose intolerance, blood pressure elevation, dyslipidemia, and central obesity are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and CHD. Identifying the presence in a given patient of the items in the cluster serves as a warning that risk of disease is increased, and should stimulate the practitioner to institute preventive measures early, with lifestyle change initially, and pharmacotherapy subsequently, as indicated by any continued risk factor presence.