The metabolic syndrome - background and treatment.

The metabolic syndrome (MBS) is characterised by a clustering of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. This syndrome is now widely recognised as a distinct pathological entity, and it is receiving a great deal of attention in the medical literature but also in the lay press. Globally speaking, persons with MBS have a clustering of the following risk factors: [List: see text] MBS is associated with important cardio/cerebrovascular and metabolic risks. Prevention and treatment are therefore of great importance. Preventive measures involving lifestyle are mandatory. In addition, MBS patients require pharmacological treatment, usually for the rest of their lives. Complex patterns of drug treatment will be required, since all the different, heterogenous pathophysiological problems will require appropriate treatment. After an introduction to MBS, this article provides an extensive and critical review of the drug treatment of this complex pathological entity.