A SYSTEMIC REVIEW ON INTEGRATING CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK: UNITING DIABETOLOGY AND CARDIOLOGY.

Abstract

The principal catalyst behind the worldwide obesity pandemic is the dearth of physical activity and the adoption of unfavorable dietary patterns. The clinical presentation of metabolic syndrome, a modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2 DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), commonly manifests as an augmentation in the mass of adipose tissue, specifically within the visceral adipose tissue compartment. Waist measurement functions as a fundamental indicator of the accumulation of visceral fat and provides valuable insights into the risks associated with CVD and type 2 DM, irrespective of an individual's BMI. However, an increased waist measurement may also be associated with an enlarged "cardioprotective" subcutaneous adipose tissue volume. The concept of the "hypertriglyceridemic waist" has been introduced, wherein the measurement of plasma triglycerides is combined with waist measurement assessment. The utilization of this approach is purported to provide a more precise evaluation of visceral adiposity and its concomitant health hazards in contrast to solely relying on waist measurement. The phrase "hypertriglyceridemic waist" denotes an aberrant, malfunctioning, and exceedingly lipolytic adipose tissue, which assumes a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of MetS and its associated cardiometabolic hazards. Significantly, this concept is applicable irrespective of conventional risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, such as age, gender, and plasma LDL cholesterol levels. This study aims to explore the concept of the "hypertriglyceridemic waist" as an indicator of visceral adiposity and its relationship with metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes (T2 DM), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, independent of traditional risk factors. Further research should focus on validating the "hypertriglyceridemic waist" concept through large-scale longitudinal studies. Investigating the relationship between this novel indicator and the development of MetS, T2 DM, and CVD in diverse populations can provide valuable insights into its clinical relevance.