Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that enhances the risk for atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease, has received increasing attention in recent years, especially as the
worldwide prevalence of obesity has become better defined. Recent controversy has
questioned the scientific basis for metabolic syndrome, but does not negate its value as a
description of a common phenotype of patients encountered in clinical practice. Revised and
refined diagnostic criteria may be useful for physicians. While more research is needed to …