Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults

Javed Butler, Nicolas Rodondi, Yuwei Zhu, Kathleen Figaro, Sergio Fazio, Douglas E. Vaughan, Suzanne Satterfield, Anne B. Newman, Bret Goodpaster, Douglas C. Bauer, Paul Holvoet, Tamara B. Harris, Nathalie de Rekeneire, Susan Rubin, Jingzhong Ding, Stephen B. Kritchevsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

168 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess whether metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) predicts a higher risk for cardiovascular events in older adults. Background: The importance of MetSyn as a risk factor has not previously focused on older adults and deserves further study. Methods: We studied the impact of MetSyn (38% prevalence) on outcomes in 3,035 participants in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) study (51% women, 42% black, ages 70 to 79 years). Results: During a 6-year follow-up, there were 434 deaths overall, 472 coronary events (CE), 213 myocardial infarctions (MI), and 231 heart failure (HF) hospital stays; 59% of the subjects had at least one hospital stay. Coronary events, MI, HF, and overall hospital stays occurred significantly more in subjects with MetSyn (19.9% vs. 12.9% for CE, 9.1% vs. 5.7% for MI, 10.0% vs. 6.1% for HF, and 63.1% vs. 56.1% for overall hospital stay; all p < 0.001). No significant differences in overall mortality was seen; however, there was a trend toward higher cardiovascular mortality (5.1% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.067) and coronary mortality (4.5% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.051) in patients with MetSyn. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, patients with MetSyn were at a significantly higher risk for CE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28 to 1.91), MI (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.05), and HF hospital stay (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.00). Women and whites with MetSyn had a higher coronary mortality rate. The CE rate was higher among subjects with diabetes and with MetSyn; those with both had the highest risk. Conclusions: Overall, subjects over 70 years are at high risk for cardiovascular events; MetSyn in this group is associated with a significantly greater risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1595-1602
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume47
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 18 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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