OBJECTIVE: The association between carotid atherosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) was analyzed in the general population. The usefulness of the inclusion of the serum adiponectin concentration in the MetS criteria for the detection of atherosclerosis was also examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 825 participants of a comprehensive health checkup who underwent carotid ultrasonography and the measurement of serum adiponectin levels were studied. RESULTS: The carotid plaque score (PLS) was significantly higher in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group in women, but not in men. In women, a significantly higher odds ratios was obtained for MetS, in terms of the current waist circumference criterion, and a high PLS (fourth quartile) (OR=2.64, p=0.040). In men, however, a waist circumference of around 85 cm did not reflect high a PLS, and even when the waist circumference criterion was varied, the odds ratio did not increase. When the waist circumference was replaced by hypoadiponectinemia in the current MetS criteria, the odds ratio was significantly increased in men (OR=1.82, p=0.032). CONCLUSION: The current MetS criteria seem appropriate for women. In men, there was no significant evidence for the validity of the inclusion of the waist circumference criterion as an essential component. Incorporating hypoadiponectinemia into the current criteria would be useful for the early detection of atherosclerosis in men.
OBJECTIVE: The association between carotid atherosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) was analyzed in the general population. The usefulness of the inclusion of the serum adiponectin concentration in the MetS criteria for the detection of atherosclerosis was also examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 825 participants of a comprehensive health checkup who underwent carotid ultrasonography and the measurement of serum adiponectin levels were studied. RESULTS: The carotid plaque score (PLS) was significantly higher in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group in women, but not in men. In women, a significantly higher odds ratios was obtained for MetS, in terms of the current waist circumference criterion, and a high PLS (fourth quartile) (OR=2.64, p=0.040). In men, however, a waist circumference of around 85 cm did not reflect high a PLS, and even when the waist circumference criterion was varied, the odds ratio did not increase. When the waist circumference was replaced by hypoadiponectinemia in the current MetS criteria, the odds ratio was significantly increased in men (OR=1.82, p=0.032). CONCLUSION: The current MetS criteria seem appropriate for women. In men, there was no significant evidence for the validity of the inclusion of the waist circumference criterion as an essential component. Incorporating hypoadiponectinemia into the current criteria would be useful for the early detection of atherosclerosis in men.