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The metabolic syndrome: in need of a global mission statement
Author(s) -
Cameron A. J.,
Zimmet P. Z.,
Shaw J. E.,
Alberti K. G. M. M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2009.02681.x
Subject(s) - medicine , metabolic syndrome , confusion , value (mathematics) , toolbox , construct (python library) , statement (logic) , disease , metric (unit) , intensive care medicine , obesity , risk analysis (engineering) , epistemology , pathology , computer science , machine learning , psychology , philosophy , operations management , psychoanalysis , programming language , economics
Aims The value of clinical definitions of the metabolic syndrome has been questioned, with confusion surrounding their intended use and purpose. Our aim was to construct a mission statement that outlines the value of the metabolic syndrome in clinical and public health settings. Methods Case studies have been used to demonstrate three key points. Results We argue here for recognition of obesity as being a crucial element within the metabolic syndrome but perhaps even more important before its development. We also contend that the concept does indeed have a role as a risk prediction tool, and that it could provide a useful metric for the scale and progress of the looming global epidemic of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conclusions Through appreciation of its purpose, and recognition of both its limitations and those attributes that make it unique and valuable, we believe we have demonstrated here that the metabolic syndrome deserves its place in the global toolbox of diabetes and CVD prevention.