The epidemic of the metabolic syndrome

Authors

• Wael N. Elabbassi, Department of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
• Haissam A. Haddad, Department of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Suite # 147, Ottawa ON K1Y 4W7, Canada. Tel. +1 (613) 7615165. Fax. +1 (613) 7614877. E-mail: hhaddad{at}ottawaheart.ca

Abstract

The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is rising worldwide. This is partly due to a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity. Observational cross-sectional studies as well as demographic health surveys from the Middle East, point out that the prevalence of obesity increases from an average of 6% in healthy children to 20% in adolescent males and to a further 32% in elderly patients. The impact of obesity on our population is expected to be considerable; especially, as it feeds into further rising in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, MS and cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of MS in nondiabetic adults in Europe was recently reported to be 15%. In the Middle East, as pointed out by pilot observational projects, is estimated to be anywhere between 15-25%. The medical system is unprepared to deal with this epidemic partly due to scanty knowledge on the clinical significance of the MS and importantly as there is a limited number of specific treatments that we can offer these patients.

Article Type

Review

First Page

373

Last Page

375

Recommended Citation

Elabbassi, Wael N. and Haddad, Haissam A. (2005) "The epidemic of the metabolic syndrome," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 26: Iss. 3, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.2863