Background and purpose: The available data regarding the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) or MS components and ischemic stroke in type 2 diabetics are limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate these associations.
Methods: Five hundred ninety-nine consecutive type 2 diabetic patients (mean age 60.4+/-9.6 years, 54% men) were followed-up for 10.1 years (median period). Baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics and the occurrence of a first-ever ischemic stroke during follow-up were recorded.
Results: Seventy-eight patients developed a first-ever ischemic stroke. According to Cox proportional hazard model, waist circumference (hazard ratio, HR:1.006, 95% CI:1.002 to 1.010, P=0.003) and age (HR:1.061, 95% CI:1.002 to 1.125, P=0.04) were significant predictors. After incorporating various combinations of MS components in multivariate models, only age and waist circumference remained significant.
Conclusions: MS per se at baseline or combinations of its components do not predict the development of ischemic stroke in type 2 diabetic patients. Waist circumference represents an independent prognostic factor and could be used as a clinical tool for stroke prevention in this population.