Publisher's Synopsis
The recognition of the existence and importance of the metabolic syndrome continues to increase. The metabolic syndrome comprises resistance to the biological actions of insulin linked to a cluster of several factors including central obesity, hypertension and abnormal glucose and lipid levels. The presence of the metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes by two to three fold. Guidelines for identification of the metabolic syndrome include simple criteria allowing a pragmatic approach to identifying at risk individuals. The metabolic syndrome is relevant to many clinical specialities through its association with a variety of conditions. Gynaecologists and endocrinologists treat polycystic ovarian syndrome, hepatologists treat fatty liver and vascular surgeons treat peripheral vascular disease. Clinicians from these and other hitherto unrelated disciplines are now realising that the metabolic syndrome forms a common bond: understanding the causes and consequences of the metabolic syndrome is important for a wide range of health care professionals.
Christopher Byrne, a diabetologist and clinician scientist, and Sarah Wild, an epidemiologist and public health physician, have brought together a group of authors, all of whom are leading researchers in their field. The chapters address ‘hot topics' relevant to the metabolic syndrome. These ‘state of the art' chapters range from aetiology to pathogenesis, complications and treatment, covering subjects such as the developmental origins of the metabolic syndrome, oxidation, inflammation and exciting new areas such as non–alcoholic steatohepatitis and adipocytokines. This book will appeal to all researchers and clinicians requiring detailed up to date information on the metabolic syndrome to further their own research or to treat and manage the syndrome and its complications.
