OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the impact of metabolic syndrome on the development of cardio-cerebral vascular (CVD) events in a pre-hypertensive population.

METHODSThe data used in this prospective study was derived from the Kailuan study cohort (n = 101 510). Prehypertension was diagnosed in 29 968 (mean age: 50 ± 9 years and 23 744 males) individuals by the JNC VII criteria and these subjects were further classified into metabolic syndrome positive (MS+, n = 3447) and MS negative (MS-, n = 26 521) groups according to the modified 2004 Chinese Diabetes Society criteria. Subjects were followed up for 38 - 53 (mean 47 ± 5) months and first-ever CVD events were recorded. Baseline anthropometric and laboratory features were obtained by physical examination from June 2006 to October 2007 and the last follow-up day was December 31, 2010. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of first-ever CVD events.

RESULTSThere were 354 CVD events during follow up. The incidences of CVD events (1.80% vs. 1.28%) and cerebral infarction (1.10% vs. 0.57%) were significantly higher in the MS+ group than in the MS- group (all P < 0.05). After adjustment for other established CVD risk factors, the hazards ratio was 1.45 (95%CI: 1.10 - 1.92) for total CVD events and 1.84 (95%CI: 1.27 - 2.67) for cerebral infarction events in MS+ group.

CONCLUSIONSIn this cohort, metabolic syndrome is linked with increased risk for CVD events.