Applying the Framingham risk score for prediction of metabolic syndrome: The Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Study, Iran

BACKGROUND There has been a few studies about the predictability of metabolic syndrome (MetS) based on the Framingham risk score (FRS) as a tool for predicting the risk of 10-years cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Iranian population. The aim of this study was to compare the risk stratification obtained with the FRS and MetS in a cohort of the Iranian population. METHODS In this population-based study Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk study, Iran, MetS was diagnosed as defined by the revised National Cholesterol Education Program definition criteria (ATPIII) and the FRS was calculated using a computer program, previously reported algorithm. RESULTS Overall, the prevalence 10-years risk of CVD for patients with MetS was significantly different with those without MetS (74.3 vs. 86.4% for low-risk patients, 18.1 vs. 12.3% for intermediate-risk people, and 7.6 vs. 1.3% for high-risk individuals) (P < 0.001). The frequency of intermediate-risk and high-risk for 10-year CVD in men with MetS (39.5 and 18.3%, respectively) was considerably higher than women with MetS (3.2 and 0.1%, respectively). Using multiple logistic regression, the odds ratio of MetS in intermediate-risk and high-risk FRS group was 1.7 and 6.7, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Significant association between the presence of MetS and high risk for CVD based on FRS was revealed in both men and women indicating a good concordance between MetS and FRS in predicting the risk of CVDs. However, the odds ratio of the development of risk of cardiovascular events among women was higher than men with MetS.