Metabolic Syndrome
A cluster of interconnected conditions — central obesity, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol — that together significantly increase cardiovascular risk. GLP-1 receptor agonists address multiple components simultaneously through weight loss and metabolic effects.
Technical Context
Diagnostic criteria (IDF/AHA/NHLBI harmonised 2009): any 3 of 5: elevated waist circumference (population- and country-specific thresholds), triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (or on treatment), HDL-C <40 mg/dL men / <50 mg/dL women (or on treatment), blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg (or on treatment), fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL (or on treatment). Prevalence: approximately 20-25% of adults globally, increasing with age and obesity prevalence. Pathophysiology centres on insulin resistance driven by visceral adiposity and chronic low-grade inflammation. GLP-1 RAs address multiple MetS components simultaneously: weight loss reduces waist circumference and visceral fat, improved insulin sensitivity reduces fasting glucose, weight loss and potential direct vascular effects reduce blood pressure by 2-5 mmHg, and improved lipid metabolism reduces triglycerides by 10-20%. This multi-target effect is a major advantage over single-target metabolic therapies.