Standardized arrangement for a guideline-driven treatment of the metabolic syndrome: the SAGE-METS study

ABSTRACT Aim: To substantially increase awareness, treatment and effective control of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. Subjects and methods: This is a pilot best practice implementation enhancement programme to reduce the estimated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in 628 MetS patients with or without diabetes or CVD by improving quality of care. A baseline visit was followed by action to improve adherence to lifestyle advice and drug treatment for CVD risk factors by physicians specifically trained to implement guidelines. Finally, after 6 months, a single-page form was completed, showing if patients were at CVD risk factor target. If not, there was an analysis of the reason why. Results: The programme was effective in improving utilization of evidence-based treatment in 628 MetS patients. There was a substantially greater patient perception of MetS, an enhancement in compliance with lifestyle advice and increased prescription of evidence-based medication, leading to a 48% (p