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Journal of Clinical Medicine Research

Original Article

Volume 8, Number 9, September 2016, pages 667-673

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Clinical and Angiographic Profile in Patients With Naive Acute Coronary Syndrome in North Indian Population

Worldwide, the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major health problem associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). MetS is a conglomerate of various risk factors which is known to increase the risk for development of CVD. Various terms which have been ascribed for this constellation of findings are syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, “deadly quartet” and obesity dyslipidemia syndrome [1, 2]. MetS represents a group of cardiovascular risk factors, including hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure (BP), elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, central obesity and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [3]. It will exacerbate the progression of CVD if left untreated. The estimates of the prevalence of MetS ranged from 21.3% to 32.8% among the participants in the Framingham Offspring Study and San Antonio Heart Study [4]. There are limited data available on the prevalence of MetS in Indian population because of varied extent of urbanization, lifestyle patterns, and socioeconomic/cultural factors. Also western studies suggest that MetS is very commonly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), but little is known about the prevalence of MetS in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Indian subcontinent. Hence, our study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of MetS and its clinical and angiographic profile in patients with naive ACS in North Indian population.

Our study was a single-center, observation study which prospectively enrolled 324 patients with naive ACS during the time period from January 2014 to June 2015 in Department of Cardiology at LPS Institute of Cardiology, Kanpur (India). The study received ethical approval from the institutional ethical body. Informed and written consent was obtained from all participants. The inclusion criteria met were age > 18 years and first episode of ACS. The diagnosis of ACS was made in the presence of serial increase of cardiac biomarkers, associated with typical electrocardiogram changes and/or typical symptoms, as defined by the Joint Committee of the American College of Cardiology [5]. Patients with ST-segment elevation or new left bundle branch block on the admission electrocardiogram were diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The remaining patients were categorized as having non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS) [5]. We excluded the patients with prior CAD or who underwent coronary artery bypass graft/percutaneous coronary intervention. Also the patients with liver or kidney chronic disease, neoplasm, acute infections or surgical intervention in last 6 weeks were excluded.

Although there are several definitions of MetS, the diagnosis of MetS in the cohort was based on the criteria defined by modified NCEP-ATP III guidelines: [6] 1) waist circumference (≥ 90 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women); 2) SBP ≥ 130 mm Hg and/or DBP ≥ 85 mm Hg or medical treatment of previously diagnosed hypertension; 3) triglyceride (TG) > 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L); 4) HDL-C < 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) in men, < 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in women; 5) fasting glucose > 110 mg/dL. Presence of any three or more defined MetS.

The waist circumference was measured on admission, midway between the last rib and iliac crest and the average of three measures was recorded [7]. The body mass index (BMI) was measured as the ratio between the weight (kg) and the square of height (m²), according to the international criteria. Pertinent medical, family (premature CAD at age < 55 and < 65 years in male and female first degree relatives, respectively) and social (smoking and alcohol consumption) histories were obtained for each patient. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured thrice at an interval of 3 min in the sitting position after a 15 min rest and the mean was taken. Blood samples (3 mL) were drawn after 8 - 12 h of overnight fasting for the measurement of lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL-C and TG) and fasting plasma glucose levels. Plasma glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase peroxidase method [8], serum total cholesterol [9] and TG [10] by standard enzymatic procedures and HDL-C [11] by direct assay method. Echocardiography was performed for evaluation of ejection fraction (EF%) according to the clinical standards and in accordance with recommendation related to current echocardiography guidelines [12]. All patients underwent coronary angiography by standard technique on a monoplane system as recommended in current guidelines to define the coronary anatomy and severity of epicardial CAD. Number and type of coronary vessel involved along with the lesion characteristics in the two groups (MetS vs. no MetS) were studied. Lesions were classified into discrete (< 10 mm in length), tubular (10 - 20 mm in length) and diffuse (> 20 mm in length) as per ACC/AHA classification [13]. More than 50% diameter stenosis of any single coronary artery was considered significant disease.

Statistical analysis was performed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Nominal (categorical) variables were analyzed by using Pearson Chi-square test or Fischer’s exact test and quantitative variables by using Mann-Whitney test or unpaired t-test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The overall prevalence of MetS in our study was 37.65% (n = 244). The mean age of 648 patients included in the study was 58.68 ± 5.6 years, with the preponderance of men (n = 464; 71.6%). Table 1 summarizes the baseline characteristics of the cohort with and without MetS. From the total study cohort, 244 patients (37.65%) therefore fulfilled the criteria for MetS according to modified NCEP-ATP III guidelines. The prevalence of the individual components of MetS was 47.54% (n = 116) for abdominal obesity, 63.11% (n = 154) for hypertension, 46.72% (n = 114) for diabetes mellitus, 31.96% (n = 68) for low HDL-C, and 38.53% (n = 94) for high TG levels. Graphical representation of individual component in each group is shown in Figure 1.

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Table 1. Baseline Characteristics of Patients (n = 648)

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Figure 1. Prevalence of individual components of metabolic syndrome.

The combination of HDL-C (< 40 mg/dL) and TG (> 150 mg/dL) represents the “atherogenic dyslipidemia” was present in 28.68% (n = 70) of the patients with MetS and in 17.82% (n = 72) of those without MetS (P < 0.05). Overall, MetS patients with ACS were 2.7 years older than those without MetS, more likely to be females (35.24% vs. 24.25%) and less likely to be tobacco abuser (30.32% vs. 42.57%). Patients with MetS were more likely to present with NSTEACS (58.19% vs. 36.14%, P = 0.003) than STEMI (41.8% vs. 63.86%, P = 0.002). MetS patients had more chance of cardiogenic shock (27.04% vs. 17.32%, P = 0.02) and recurrent ischemia (14.75% vs. 7.42%, P = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference of EF as well as mortality between groups.

The baseline angiographic characteristic of study population is depicted in Table 2. The angiographic profile revealed lower preponderance of single vessel disease (SVD) in MetS group vis-a-vis without MetS group (21.13% vs. 53.96%, P = 0.001). However, presence of involvement of more than one vessel, i.e., doubles vessel disease (DVD) and triple vessel disease (TVD), was 39.34% vs. 24.26% and 19.67% vs. 10.39%, respectively (P = 0.001). Left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease was found more common in MetS population than without MetS population (13.11% vs. 4.45%, P = 0.001). More complex coronary lesions (tubular, 40.98% vs. 31.68% and diffuse, 26.23% vs. 18.32%, P = 0.01) were common in MetS group than in patients without MetS group, whereas simple coronary lesions (discrete, 32.78% vs. 50%, P = 0.01) were found to be more in no MetS patient group. The angiographic profiles of two study groups are depicted in Figure 2. Total number of patients who underwent coronary intervention during index admission was 55.86% (n = 181) in both groups.

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Table 2. Baseline Angiographic Characteristics of Patients (n = 648)

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Figure 2. Baseline angiographic characteristics of patients.

MetS is a major public health problem of 21st century. It is the conglomerate of physical conditions and metabolic abnormalities occurring together that increases an individual risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and CVD. If the trend of MetS continues to increase, the premature deaths and disabilities resulting from it will pose an increase of the financial and social burden in both developed and developing countries. Numerous definitions have been proposed in the past by various expert groups for the MetS. In 1998, World Health Organization (WHO) defined MetS, according to which a person must have either glucose intolerance or insulin resistance with two of the following four criteria: central obesity, hypertension, dysplipidemia and albuminuria. In 2001, National Cholestrol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) provided a new definition for MetS, which states that a person must have three of the following five abnormalities: abdominal adiposity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C, and elevated fasting glucose. WHO consultation in 2004 was of opinion that the proportion of Asian people with high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and CVD is considerable at BMI values lower than the existing WHO cutoff point for overweight (25.0 kg/m²) and proposed potential public health action points of BMI (23.0, 27.5, 32.5, and 37.5 kg/m²) but did not suggest a clear BMI cutoff point for overweight and obesity [14]. Despite a considerable evidence of the same fact, none of expert committee group were able to define lower BMI cutoff for Asian subset. Contrary to BMI cutoff, consensus has been reached regarding lowering waist circumference cutoff ≥ 90 cm in males and ≥ 80 cm in females in south Asians based on adequate evidence, which has henceforth been adopted in the modified NCEP-ATP III [6] and IDF definitions [13]. Table 3 summarizes various diagnostic criteria for defining MetS.

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Table 3. Various Criteria Proposed for Metabolic Syndrome

Overall, the prevalence of MetS in our study was 37.65%. Using NCEP-ATP III criteria, Suwaidi et al [15] found MetS in 46% of ACS. However, Danciu et al [16] and Pandey et al [17] reported 26% and 26.19% prevalence of MetS in ACS. These data further support the causation of CVD in patients with MetS. Patients with MetS were 3 years older than without MetS. Similar finding was observed by Yasar et al [18] and Dohi et al [19]. It was also found in our study that the prevalence of MetS in female patients who present with ACS was higher when compared with overall cohort. Studies done by Suwaidi et al [15], Gupta et al [20] and Ramachandran et al [21] had shown higher prevalence of MetS in female presenting with ACS.

Among the individual components of MetS, hypertension and abdominal obesity were more common. A high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (31.17%) was seen in our study when compared with previous reports of Prasad et al (19%) [22]. However, it extends the observation of Takeno et al [23] from Japan (34%). Consumption of tobacco in any form was quite prevalent in our study (37.96%) due to socio-cultural background. But it was seen that tobacco abuse was less prevalent in MetS group (30.32%) than in no MetS group (42.57%). It supports the observation of Zeller [24] and colleagues.

BMI was higher in patients who had MetS. South Asian population is found to be phenotypically distinct from Caucasians when studied in context of MetS, in form of lower BMI, waist circumference and muscle mass. South Asian adults have hyperglycemia, hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia at lower levels of BMI and waist circumference [14, 25-28]. “Athergenic dyslipidemia” is common in South Asians who have low HDL-C and higher levels of small dense LDL when compared to Caucasians [29, 30]. NSTEACS as a presentation was found to be more common than STEMI in MetS group (58.19% vs. 41.80%), whereas STEMI was more common than NSTEACS in no MetS group (63.86% vs. 36.14%). Cardiogenic shock during hospitalization was frequent in MetS group. This finding was in accordance with Babic et al [30]. Recurrent ischemia was common in subset of MetS. Suwaidi et al [15] also found recurrent ischemia to be more common in MetS group which was statistically significant. Though LVEF (%) was lower in patients with MetS subset, the statistical significance was not seen in our study. A statistically significant difference in mortality in both groups was not present. This extends the observation made by Suwaidi et al [15], Babic et al [30] and Pandey et al [17].

The type of vessel involved and the lesion characteristics in the two groups (Mets vs. no MetS) were studied. It was observed that SVD was more prevalent in no MetS group. However, DVD and TVD were more common in patients with MetS. Involvement of LMCA was commonly detected in MetS group than without MetS group. More complex coronary lesions (tubular and diffuse) were discerned in MetS group, whereas simple coronary lesions (discrete) were commonly seen in no MetS subgroup. The findings of coronary angiography of our study were in accordance with observations noted by Pattnaik et al [31] and Henry et al [32]. MetS patients have a higher incidence of multivessel disease involvement as per western literature [33-36].

The mechanisms by which MetS increases CVD risk remains poorly understood, but given the clear associations between the two, it probably directly influences atherosclerotic development, progression and instability. There are varied propositions regarding mechanistic considerations linking MetS and atherosclerosis. The principle vascular perturbations linked to MetS include endothelial vasomotor dysfunction, vascular effects of advanced glycation end products, adverse effects of circulating free fatty acids (FFAs), and increased systemic inflammation. Endothelial vasomotor dysfunction, a hallmark of vascular disease in MetS, is associated with adverse CVD outcomes. The myriad mechanisms contributing to endothelial dysfunction include abnormal nitric oxide biology, increased endothelin and angiotension II, and reduced prostacyclin activity, all of which contribute to abnormal control of blood flow. In the setting of ACS events, the no reflow phenomenon after percutaneous intervention reflecting acute endothelial dysfunction occurs more commonly in the presence of MetS, resulting in large infarcts, increased arrhythmias and worse systolic function. Abnormalities in the coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways and in platelet biology add to the vascular risk MetS, yielding a constitutive prothrombotic milieu. These abnormalities include increased circulating tissue factor, factor VII, von Willebrand factor, and plasminogen activating inhibitor 1, with decreased levels of antithrombin III and protein C. In addition, disturbances of platelet activation, aggregation, morphology and lifespan further contribute to increased thrombotic potential, as well as to the acceleration of atherosclerosis. Lastly, increased systemic inflammation, increased oxidative stress and a lipid rich atherosclerotic plaque are thought to accelerate atherosclerosis and worsen CVD outcomes.

High prevalence (37.65%) of MetS among patients with ACS in North Indian population was identified. Also there is trend of more advanced vascular damage (depending on number of vessel and type of lesion involved) in patients with MetS than those without MetS. To the best our knowledge, this is the first study from North India documenting the angiographic profile of patients with MetS and ACS. As the prevalence of MetS is high worldwide and increasing day by day due to sedentary lifestyle, the finding on our study has robust implications for its early diagnosis and appropriate intervention before development of its harmful consequences. To further expand current observation of ours, additional large-scale double-blinded randomized studies are urgently needed with new definition of MetS in context to Asian population.

The limitation of the study was that the data were collected from an observational study. The fundamental limitation of observational studies cannot be eliminated because of the nonrandomized nature and unmeasured confounding factors.

Disclosures

None.

Conflicts of Interest

None.

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