A Study of Metabolic Syndrome on Physical Check-up -with Reference to Coexistent Hypercholesterolemia-

Abstract

Objective: We studied the relationship between abdominal visceral fat accumulation and atherosclerotic risk factors. We also investigated the metabolic syndrome accompanied with hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Between April 2004 and March 2005,616 participants (men 404, women 212, mean age 61.0±10.0) received visceral fat measurement by abdominal CT scan and carotid ultrasonography. We classified into 4 groups according to visceral fat area and BMI. Group I: Visceral fat area more than 100cm², BMI more than 25. Group II: Visceral fat area more than 100cm², BMI less than 25. Group III: Visceral fat area less than 100cm², BMI more than 25. Group IV: Visceral fat area less than 100cm², BMI less than 25. Results: In group I and group 11, the frequency of the cases accompanied with high blood pressure, lipoprotein abnormality, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperLDLcholesterolemia and more than 2 risk factors was higher than group IV. In the metabolic syndrome accompanied with hypercholesterolemia, carotid plaques were more frequent than the metabolic syndrome without hypercholesterolemia. With regard to carotid praque, there was no difference between the metabolic syndrome with increased LDL cholesterol level and the metabolic syndrome without increased LDL cholesterol level. Conclusions: Abdominal visceral fat accumulation increases atherosclerotic risk factors. In the metabolic syndrome accompanied with hypercholesterolemia, carotid plaques were more frequent than the metabolic syndrome without hypercholesterolemia.