A STATEMENT FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE METABOLIC SYNDROME INSTITUTE ARISING FROM THE INSTITUTE’S MEETING HELD ON 11 DECEMBER 2003

1. The Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of features that predict the development of macrovascular disease and also type 2 diabetes. The ability to predict individuals at increased risk of type 2 diabetes allows greater vigilance with, potentially, earlier diagnosis with the possibility that the risk of developing microvascular complications can be reduced.

2. Features of the syndrome include abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, high blood pressure, a pro-inflammatory state and a pro-thrombotic state.

3. The syndrome clearly has a genetic basis but tends to be expressed only when susceptible individuals gain weight, especially when excess adipose tissue accumulates centrally and in the liver.

4. The specific genes that confer susceptibility are not yet known.

5. The criteria used by NCEP-ATP III to diagnose subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome do not represent a definition of the Metabolic Syndrome. They do, however, provide the most practical currently available clinical tool for identifying those most likely to have the syndrome.

6. Definition of the Metabolic Syndrome should not be confused with the criteria for making a clinical diagnosis.