Application of recent definitions of the metabolic syndrome to survey data from the National Cholesterol Education Program Evaluation Project Utilizing Novel E-Technology (NEPTUNE II)

This was a post hoc analysis of data collected in the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Evaluation Project Utilizing Novel E-Technology II (NEPTUNE II) survey conducted in 2003. Among 4885 dyslipidemic patients receiving lipid management in the United States, estimates of the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome according to the 2001 NCEP Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III), the 2005 American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement, and the 2005 International Diabetes Federation definitions were 55%, 62%, and 63%, respectively. Metabolic syndrome prevalence among patients with coronary heart disease and risk equivalents was 69%, 74%, and 74%, according to these respective definitions. Notably, in the coronary heart disease and risk equivalents category, the prevalence was similar to that of the multiple risk factor category when patients with diabetes mellitus were excluded from the analysis (46% by ATP III). The metabolic syndrome is common in patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy in an office-based setting. Three recent definitions resulted in similar estimates of its prevalence.