RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Korea is about 20%. The metabolic syndrome is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship of this syndrome with electrocardiographic subclinical risk factors such as corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation has not been evaluated extensively in Korea. In this perspective, we studied the relationship between metabolic syndrome and QTc interval prolongation among Korean adults. METHODS: We analysed 1,560 Korean subjects (men, 873; women, 687; age, 30 to 75 years) at a health promotion center of a university hospital from November, 2006 to Jun, 2007. Subjects were evaluated for metabolic syndrome using a questionnaire, physical examination, blood pressure and blood test. QTc interval was measured from the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: In women, the odds ratios of QTc interval prolongation according the number 1, 2, 3 > or = of diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome were 1.62 (1.07 to 2.45), 2.70 (1.59 to 4.59), 3.24 (1.65 to 6.32) compared to the number 0 (P for trend or = of them were 2.53 (1.56 to 4.11), 3.49 (2.05 to 5.93) (P for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In Korean Adult, metabolic syndrome is significantly associated with QTc prolongation. As the number of diagnostic criteria of this syndrome increased, the ratio of QTc prolongation tends to be increased. This study suggest that the measurement of QTc interval of subjects with the diagnostic components of this syndrome can help predict cardiovascular risk of prolonged QTc.
