Rationale:
The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of interrelated coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors of metabolic origin (MS risk factors) that influence first and subsequent cardiovascular event rates. No comprehensive, multi-center data are available on the prevalence of MS and its component MS risk factors on entry into a contemporary phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program.
Objectives:
In this multi-center study, we determined the prevalence of MS and its component MS risk factors on entry into a contemporary phase 2 CR program.
Methodology:
Subjects were 15,714 consecutive male (69.6%) and female (30.4%) patients (age = 66 +/- 12 years) who enrolled in a phase 2 CR program in 37 sites in North America. MS and its 5 individual component MS risk factors were defined in accordance with the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines, with the exception that a fasting glucose >=100 mg/dl (rather than >= 110 mg/dl) was used. Electronic medical records were analyzed to categorize MS status as follows: MS present (ie, presence of >=3 MS risk factors), MS absent (ie, definite absence of >=3 MS risk factors), or MS indeterminate (ie, incomplete data). In patients with MS and data on all 5 individual component MS risk factors, data were further analyzed to determine the number and percentage of patients with 3, 4, or 5 MS risk factors and the prevalence of each of the individual MS risk factors.
Results:
MS status could be determined in 7,590 (48.3 %) of patients. In these patients, MS was present in 3,512 (46.3 %) and absent in 4,078 (53.7 %) patients. Results for patients (n = 2,105) with MS and data on all 5 MS risk factors are shown in the table.
Conclusion:
These data indicate that MS and multiple MS risk factors are commonly present at entry into a contemporary phase 2 CR program. The findings characterize the magnitude of lifestyle related risk factors. These data are relevant to CR programs when prioritizing, designing, and developing comprehensive risk reduction interventions with an emphasis on specific nutrition and exercise recommendations.