Ten-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Without Central Obesity in Middle-Aged Chinese

This study aimed to examine the relation between central obesity and other metabolic disorders of metabolic syndrome (MS) and compare the long-term risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) between patients with MS with or without central obesity in middle-aged Chinese. The study included 30,378 Chinese aged 35 to 64 years at baseline with complete measurements for MS components and follow-up data for new acute CVD events from 1992 to 2003. The 10-year relative and absolute CVD risks in the MS groups with or without central obesity were compared. Results showed that 78% of patients with MS had central obesity and 22% with MS had no central obesity, diagnosed using updated Adult Treatment Panel III criteria with cut-off values appropriate for Asian populations. Central obesity, as well as other metabolic disorders in patients with MS, except for increased triglycerides, increased CVD risk significantly. There were no significant differences in 10-year absolute and relative risks of coronary heart disease events and ischemic CVD events between the 2 MS groups. In conclusion, MS with or without central obesity has a significantly increased 10-year risk of CVD in middle-aged Chinese.