ABSTRACT
The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a common lifestyle disease in the western world and has significant morbidity and premature mortality, especially regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although insulin resistance (and hyperinsulinaemia) is an early marker of MS and future adverse cardiovascular outcomes, it is not known if on its own this is sufficient. The issue is further clouded in prospective studies by the development in study subjects of some, or all of the components of MS, each of which is an independent risk factor for CVD. Therefore, in spite of a number of appropriate long-term studies, the exact contributions of the individual components of MS remain unclear. Their combination is unequivocally responsible for this presentday epidemic of CVD.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Metabolic Syndrome/complications , Humans , Obesity/complicationsABSTRACT
The metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent clinical entity, which is often overlooked and may have far-reaching health implications for the patient. Up to 80% of patients with the metabolic syndrome die as a result of cardiovascular complications. Insulin resistance is the central component of this complex syndrome and should be appropriately addressed to ensure the best possible outcome for our patients. Recent advances in the pathogenesis and management of this syndrome is discussed in this article.
Subject(s)
Metabolic Syndrome , Humans , Metabolic Syndrome/diagnosis , Metabolic Syndrome/etiology , Metabolic Syndrome/therapyABSTRACT
In westernised societies the metabolic syndrome (MS) is common and primarily a lifestyle disease with significant morbidity and premature mortality. The main endpoints are related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially affecting the heart. Although insulin resistance (and hyperinsulinaemia) is an early marker of MS and future adverse cardiovascular outcomes, it is not known if on its own this is sufficient. The issue is further clouded in prospective studies by the development in study subjects of some, or all of the components of MS, each of which is an independent risk factor for CVD! Therefore, in spite of a number of appropriate long-term observational studies, we are unable to tease out the exact contribution of the individual components of MS, which together are unequivocally responsible for this present-day epidemic of CVD.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Insulin Resistance , Metabolic Syndrome/complications , Humans , Metabolic Syndrome/pathology , Obesity/complications , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Three cases of malaria seen within 1 week at the Somerset Hospital in Cape Town are reported. One of these patients developed cerebral malaria and severe brain damage. The management of acute malaria and its complications, as well as the prophylaxis, is briefly reviewed. In view of the difficulty in obtaining intravenous quinine in Cape Town, it is strongly recommended that small supplies of intravenous quinine be maintained at centres throughout the country. This may decrease the incidence of cerebral malaria, the potentially fatal complication of Plasmodium falciparum infections.
