Is there a point to diagnosing the metabolic syndrome? Many would argue that other protocols for predicting cardiovascular disease and diabetes are equal or better tools than the metabolic syndrome criteria. Others argue that the term “syndrome” is inappropriate because the combination of parameters yields no more information than analyzing the individual parameters. However, in the clinical practice of medicine, there is another context to be considered.
The real value of diagnosing the metabolic syndrome may be to engender clinicians with a mind-set to focus on prevention of disease. Look again at the components of the metabolic syndrome: obesity, lipid disorders, hypertension and hyperglycemia. Parameters beyond an individual's control such as age, genetics, family history, etc, are not part of the metabolic syndrome. Hence, one may consider that diagnosing and treating metabolic syndrome as a realistic “road map” approach to preventive medicine.