Study on Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, and Atherosclerosis

A recent investigation examined the combined influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity on markers of early atherosclerosis—carotid artery intima media thickness (cIMT) and adventitial diameter (AD). This study was published in the Menopause journal by Leis and colleagues.

Carotid ultrasound assessments conducted as part of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) between 2009 and 2013 were analyzed in a cross-sectional study involving 1,433 women. The findings of the study were as follows:

Findings

• Increased Atherosclerotic Risk: Women with obesity showed an average cIMT increase of 0.051 mm, while those with MetS had a 0.057 mm larger cIMT compared to counterparts without these conditions (both P < 0.001).
• Combined Impact: A significant interaction was observed between obesity and MetS (P = 0.011). Women affected by both conditions exhibited a higher model-adjusted predicted mean cIMT of 0.955 mm (95% CI, 0.897-1.013) compared to those with MetS alone (0.946 mm; 95% CI, 0.887-1.005), obesity alone (0.930 mm; 95% CI, 0.873-0.988), or neither condition (0.878 mm; 95% CI, 0.821-0.935). Similar patterns were observed in AD measurements.

This study underscores the importance of identifying and addressing atherosclerotic changes at early stages to prevent the development of significant cardiovascular disease. It suggests that the impact of obesity on carotid artery thickness appears to be limited when considering MetS alone.

The findings emphasize the heightened atherosclerotic risk associated with metabolic dysfunction, irrespective of an individual's obesity status. It reinforces the notion that individuals affected by metabolic abnormalities warrant close attention due to their increased vulnerability to atherosclerosis-related changes.

Conclusion

Understanding the combined effects of MetS and obesity on arterial health provides crucial insights into risk stratification and preventive strategies for early atherosclerosis detection and intervention.

Reference

Leis, A. M., Jackson, E. A., Baylin, A., Barinas-Mitchell, E., El Khoudary, S. R., & Karvonen-Gutierrez, C. A. Carotid intima media thickness and cardiometabolic dysfunction: the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 2023;30(12):1190–1198. https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0000000000002273