9
Table 11. Criteria for Clinical Identification of the Metabolic
Syndrome (≥3 of the Listed Components)
Measure Categorical Cut Points
1. Elevated waist circumference
a
• ≥40 inches (≥102 cm) in men
• ≥35 inches (≥88 cm) in women
2. Elevated triglycerides
(drug treatment with a triglyceride-
lowering agent is an alternative
indicator
b
)
• ≥150 mg/dL
3. Reduced HDL-C • <40 mg/dL in men
• <50 mg/dL in women
4. Elevated blood pressure
(antihypertensive drug treatment in a
patient with a history of hypertension is
an alternative indicator)
• Systolic ≥130 mm Hg and/or diastolic
≥85 mm Hg
5. Elevated fasting glucose
(drug treatment of elevated glucose is an
alternative indicator
c
)
• ≥100 mg/dL
a
American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute guidelines for metabolic
syndrome suggest waist circumference thresholds of ≥37 inches (≥94 cm) in men and ≥32 inches
(≥80 cm) in women as optional cut points for individuals or populations with increased insulin
resistance, including those of Asian descent (alternative values have also been published for other
groups).
b
e most commonly used drugs for elevated triglyceride levels are fibric acids, nicotinic acid and
high-dose long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. A patient taking any of these drugs may be presumed to
have an elevated triglyceride level.
c
Most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus will have the metabolic syndrome by these criteria.
