Metabolic Syndrome: Important Considerations in Trial Design

Metabolic Syndrome (also referred to as Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Syndrome X, and the Deadly Quartet) is diagnosed by several combined risk factors, and is most notably defined by its patients’ pro-inflammatory state. Metabolic syndrome identifies a cluster of symptoms affecting multiple organs and systems, most importantly the cardiovascular and sugar metabolism systems. Frequent symptoms include abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, and insulin resistance; however, according to the American Heart Association, there are no well-accepted criteria for diagnosing the syndrome.