Metabolic syndrome in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and health-related quality of life in war-related bilateral lower limb amputees

BACKGROUND

Lower limb amputation is correlated with considerable impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in veterans. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in veterans with bilateral lower limb amputation and to identify its association with HRQOL.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 235 Iranian male veterans with bilateral lower limb amputation. Demographics, anthropometrics, and biochemical measurements were assessed and MetS was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. HRQOL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire which measures eight health-related domains. The scores were compared between two groups of bilateral lower limb Amputees who have diagnosed with and without MetS.

RESULTS

The response rate was 40.7% and the mean age of the amputees was 52.05 years. 62.1% of participants were suffering from MetS (95% CI: 55.9%-68.4%). Patients with MetS were observed to have higher weight, waist and hip circumferences, FBS, TG, LDL and liver enzymes concentrations (P < 0.05). Although scores on all 8 subscales of SF-36 were low, no significant difference was observed in HRQOL scores between amputees with and without MetS. Moreover, the risk of MetS was not significantly different across subjects in the highest compared to the lowest quartile category of HRQOL scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of MetS in veterans with bilateral lower limb amputation was higher and their HRQOL was lower compared to general population. Some strategies are needed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases among this susceptible population.

Metabolic syndrome and peripheral artery disease: Two related conditions

AIMS

To ascertain the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) at the Martorell primary care (PC) center. To analyze the differences in comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors between patients with PAD with and without MS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, descriptive study on patients diagnosed with PAD according to computerized clinical records of the Martorell PC center. Variables collected included age, sex, high blood pressure (HBP), dyslipidemia (DLP), diabetes (DM), smoking, obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), erectile dysfunction (ED), renal failure (RF), and oligoalbuminuria. An analysis comparing patients with and without MS was performed.

RESULTS

There were 131 patients diagnosed with PAD, 104 (79%) of whom were male. Sixty-three (48.1%) also had MS. Patients with both PAD and MS had, as compared to those with PAD only, a higher prevalence of HBP (87.3 vs. 60.3%, P: 0.001), DLP (77.8 vs. 60.3%, P: 0.03), DM (69.8 vs. 30.9%, P<.001), obesity (25.4 vs. 10.3%, P: 0.03), CVD (42.9 vs. 19.1%); P: 0.004), ED (81.3 vs. 54.3%, P: 0.02), and RF (40.3 vs. 17.9%, P: 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Patients with both PAD and MS had a higher prevalence of HBP, DLP, DM, and obesity. They also had more cardiovascular events and were significantly associated with pathological conditions highly relevant for cardiovascular prognosis such as erectile dysfunction and chronic kidney disease.

Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of Hypercholesterolemia in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients: Evidences from a Systematic Literature Review in Spain

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a major Public Health burden. High serum cholesterol levels have been linked to major CV risk. The objectives of this study were to review the epidemiology of hypercholesterolemia in high risk CV patients from Spain, by assessing its prevalence, the proportion of diagnosed patients undergoing pharmacological treatment and the degree of attained lipid control.

Methods

A systematic literature review was carried out using Medline and two Spanish databases. Manuscripts containing information on hypercholesterolemia in several high CV risk groups [diabetes mellitus (DM), Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk >5, or documented CVD], published between January 2010 and October 2014, were included.

Results

Of the 1947 published references initially retrieved, a full-text review was done on 264 manuscripts and 120 were finally included. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia ranged from 50 to 84% in diabetics, 30–60% in patients with DM or elevated SCORE risk, 64–74% with coronary heart disease, 40–70% in stroke patients, and 60–80% in those with peripheral artery disease. Despite the finding that most of them were on pharmacological treatment, acceptable control of serum lipids was very variable, ranging from 15% to 65%. Among those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, 95–100% received treatment but less than 50% achieved their therapeutic goals.

Conclusions

An elevated prevalence of hypercholesterolemia can be found in targeted groups at high CV risk. Although most patients are receiving pharmacological treatment, rates of lipid control continue to be low, both in primary and secondary prevention.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12325-015-0252-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.