Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with acute coronary syndrome in six middle eastern countries

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and effect of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) on patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in six Middle Eastern countries using the new definition of MetS. Analysis of the Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE), which included 8716 consecutive patients hospitalized with ACS, was conducted and patients were divided into two groups: patients with and patients without the MetS. Overall, 46% of patients had MetS. Patients with MetS were more likely to be female and less likely to be smokers. In-hospital mortality and cardiogenic shock were comparable between the two groups, although MetS patients were more likely to have congestive heart failure and recurrent ischemia. In ST-elevation myocardial infarction, MetS was also associated with increased risk of recurrent myocardial infarction and stroke. Using the recent MetS definition, MetS is highly prevalent among Middle Eastern patients presenting with ACS. MetS is associated with higher-risk profile characteristics and increased risk for development of heart failure and recurrent myocardial ischemia without an increase in hospital mortality.