Metabolic syndrome: what are the risks for humans?

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a widely prevalent and multi-factorial disorder. The syndrome has been given several names such as insulin resistance (IR) syndrome, plurimetabolic syndrome, Reaven's syndrome, Syndrome X, and the deadly quartet. The formulation of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP) guidelines has led to some uniformity and standardization of the definition of MetS and has been helpful epidemiologically. The clinical relevance of MetS is related to its role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Weight reduction is one of the mainstays of treatment. This article provides a comprehensive discussion of metabolic risk factors, the history of MetS, and its diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. There is a need to comprehensively review this particular syndrome in view of the ever increasing-incidence of this condition.