Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (516 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A cluster of symptoms that are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and TYPE 2 diabetes mellitus. The major components of metabolic syndrome include abdominal obesity; atherogenic dyslipidemia; hypertension; hyperglycemia; insulin resistance; a proinflammatory state; and a prothrombotic (thrombosis) state.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Metabolic Syndromes; Syndrome, Metabolic; Syndromes, Metabolic; Dysmetabolic Syndrome X; Syndrome X, Dysmetabolic; Insulin Resistance Syndrome X; Metabolic Cardiovascular Syndrome; Cardiovascular Syndrome, Metabolic.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Insulin Resistance; Metabolic Diseases
- See also
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Microvascular Angina; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors; Diabesity
Related concepts
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Abdominal Obesity
- Dyslipidemias
- Hypertension
- Hyperglycemia
- Insulin Resistance
- Thrombosis
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 44,432 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Metabolic Syndrome” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 12,768 of them (28.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 21,639 records.
Reviews account for 9,718 records (21.9%) and meta-analyses for 930. Randomized controlled trials number 2,115 (4.8%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 10,669 |
| 2010-2019 | 21,639 |
| 2020 onward | 12,768 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 9,718 | 21.9% |
| Meta-analyses | 930 | 2.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 2,115 | 4.8% |
Method: PubMed query "Metabolic Syndrome"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in metabolism and endocrine disease
Studies of diabetes, obesity and hormone disorders often follow blood tests such as glucose, HbA1c or hormone levels, which are stand-ins for outcomes that matter more, such as complications. Lifestyle and diet research is largely observational, and weight and diabetes trials can differ in how long people were followed. Nothing on this page is advice about medicines, insulin or diet; talk to a qualified clinician about your own situation. Check whether the outcome was a lab value or a clinical event, and the type and duration of the condition studied.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association of Frailty and Its Trajectories With the Risk of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Progression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 42394144 · DOI · PMC13329086 |
| Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)/polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): current and future trends | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 42294900 · DOI · PMC13262721 |
| MASLD, diabetes and PMOS across the female life stages | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 42249186 · DOI · PMC13627221 |
Association of Frailty and Its Trajectories With the Risk of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Progression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- AimsFrailty reflects a decline in physiological reserve and has been widely recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Closing excerpt
- Dynamic assessment and early intervention targeting frailty may offer a strategy for preventing CVD.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (241 words)
AimsFrailty reflects a decline in physiological reserve and has been widely recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationships between frailty and the progression of the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, as well as between dynamic frailty trajectories and CVD risk, have not been systematically investigated.MethodsA total of 5624 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. The association between baseline frailty and CVD risk was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model and the restricted cubic spline analyses. We used Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to identify trajectories of frailty development during the follow-up periods from 2011 to 2018.ResultsHigher baseline frailty index (FI) was significantly associated with CVD risk in individuals with CKM syndrome stages 0-3; each 0.1 increase in FI was associated with a 33% higher risk of CVD after full adjustment (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.26-1.40). Cumulative frailty burden, assessed using the cumulative FI (cumFI), showed a strong graded association with CVD risk. Three distinct frailty trajectories were identified. Compared with the low-level increasing trajectory, moderate-level and high-level increasing trajectories were associated with higher CVD risk (HR = 4.63, 95% CI: 3.50-6.14, HR = 9.33, 95% CI: 6.89-12.64). These associations were consistent across multiple sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsFrailty is associated with the risk of CKM syndrome progression. Beyond baseline assessment, cumFI and frailty trajectories provide prognostic information for cardiovascular risk. Dynamic assessment and early intervention targeting frailty may offer a strategy for preventing CVD.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42394144 · DOI · PMC13329086
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)/polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): current and future trends [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), is the most common endocrinologic disorder to affect women.
- Closing excerpt
- Finally, we discuss the long-term health sequelae associated with PCOS, future directions, and areas of needed research in this often-overlooked disease.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (94 words)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), is the most common endocrinologic disorder to affect women. Despite this, the pathophysiology of the disease is not entirely known. This has hindered the diagnosis of the disease and appropriate treatment for millions of individuals. In this Review, we discuss the proposed pathophysiology of PCOS from a translational perspective. We review the existing diagnostic criteria of PCOS and current management strategies. Finally, we discuss the long-term health sequelae associated with PCOS, future directions, and areas of needed research in this often-overlooked disease.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42294900 · DOI · PMC13262721
MASLD, diabetes and PMOS across the female life stages [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes, which affect approximately 38% and 10.
- Closing excerpt
- This narrative review consolidates current epidemiological and mechanistic insights linking MASLD, type 2 diabetes and PMOS in women, highlights the relevance of experimental models for elucidating shared disease pathways, and informs life stage-tailored screening and early intervention strategies to reduce long-term cardiometabolic and liver-related morbidity in affected women.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (181 words)
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes, which affect approximately 38% and 10.5%, respectively, of adults globally, intersect critically in women through polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent but under-recognised cardiometabolic disorder affecting 10-13% of reproductive-age women. Beyond its reproductive consequences, PMOS promotes hepatic disease through hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Androgens directly upregulate hepatic lipogenic gene expression, activate hepatic stellate cells via androgen receptor signalling, and suppress sex hormone-binding globulin, creating a pro-fibrotic, lipotoxic hepatic environment. MASLD shares pathophysiological mechanisms with type 2 diabetes and PMOS, including adipose tissue dysfunction, adipokine dysregulation, hepatic lipid dysregulation and mitochondrial impairment. These shared mechanisms are further modulated by hormonal transitions during adolescence, pregnancy and menopause, with each representing a critical window of vulnerability. This narrative review consolidates current epidemiological and mechanistic insights linking MASLD, type 2 diabetes and PMOS in women, highlights the relevance of experimental models for elucidating shared disease pathways, and informs life stage-tailored screening and early intervention strategies to reduce long-term cardiometabolic and liver-related morbidity in affected women.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42249186 · DOI · PMC13627221
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Geographic distribution of metabolic syndrome and its components in the general adult population: A meta-analysis of global data from 28 million individuals [4]
- Research article Effectiveness of body roundness index in predicting metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression [6]
- Research article Association Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cognitive Impairment in People With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Dietary Patterns and Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [8]
- Research article Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Future Cancer Risk [9]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Recent Developments in Rodent Models of High-Fructose Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Alvin Man Lung Chan, Angela Min Hwei Ng, Mohd Heikal Mohd Yunus et al. · Nutrients 2021 · CC BY 4.0
Metabolomic and Lipidomic Signatures of Metabolic Syndrome and its Physiological Components in Adults: A Systematic Review
Stéphanie Monnerie, Blandine Comte, Daniela Ziegler et al. · Scientific Reports 2020 · CC BY 4.0
Duration of Lactation and Maternal Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Christine Tørris, Ann Kristin Bjørnnes · Nutrients 2020 · CC BY 4.0
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Lipid Profile in Adults with the Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Fatme AlAnouti, Myriam Abboud, Dimitrios Papandreou et al. · Nutrients 2020 · CC BY 4.0
The prevalence of pediatric metabolic syndrome—a critical look on the discrepancies between definitions and its clinical importance
Carolin Reisinger, Benedicta N. Nkeh-Chungag, Per Morten Fredriksen et al. · International Journal of Obesity (2005) 2020 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Yang H, Wang Z, Yi W, Men L, He R, Yang S. Association of Frailty and Its Trajectories With the Risk of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Progression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. . 2026. PMID 42394144 · DOI · PMC13329086
- Chan JL, Masini I, Pisarska MD. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)/polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): current and future trends. . 2026. PMID 42294900 · DOI · PMC13262721
- Stener-Victorin E, Carlsson S, Hagström H, Taebnia N. MASLD, diabetes and PMOS across the female life stages. . 2026. PMID 42249186 · DOI · PMC13627221
- Noubiap JJ, Nansseu JR, Lontchi-Yimagou E, Nkeck JR, Nyaga UF, Ngouo AT, et al.. Geographic distribution of metabolic syndrome and its components in the general adult population: A meta-analysis of global data from 28 million individuals. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2022. PMID 35584716 · DOI
- Rico-Martín S, Calderón-García JF, Sánchez-Rey P, Franco-Antonio C, Martínez Alvarez M, Sánchez Muñoz-Torrero JF. Effectiveness of body roundness index in predicting metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2020. PMID 32267621 · DOI
- Lim SS, Kakoly NS, Tan JWJ, Fitzgerald G, Bahri Khomami M, Joham AE, et al.. Metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. Obes Rev. 2019. PMID 30339316 · DOI
- Hagi K, Nosaka T, Dickinson D, Lindenmayer JP, Lee J, Friedman J, et al.. Association Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cognitive Impairment in People With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021. PMID 33656533 · DOI · PMC7931134
- Fabiani R, Naldini G, Chiavarini M. Dietary Patterns and Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2019. PMID 31480732 · DOI · PMC6770202
- Wilson RB, Lathigara D, Kaushal D. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Future Cancer Risk. Int J Mol Sci. 2023. PMID 37047163 · DOI · PMC10094585
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.