The risk factor association syndrome as a barisystemic syndrome: A view on obesity and the metabolic syndrome

A number of factors are known to be associated to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure, lipid abnormalities, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and steep apnea may act as isolated risk factors but, frequently, coexist in the same person. Studies involving surgery aimed at weight reduction (bariatric surgery - from barys, the greek term for heavy) have consistently shown a high probability of resolution of major risk factors, namely of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, associated to weight reduction. Data in a similar direction were obtained after weight reduction was reached by means of pharmacological therapy. Excessive weight thus may stand as the probable cause for a number of cardiovascular risk factors, at least in many patients with an adequate genetic background. The moment may have come to focus on causality and to suggest that the risk factor association syndrome, in patients with overweight/obesity, may be defined as the systemic consequences of excessive weight, including hormonal, body habitus, metabolic, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters. A suitable name for the syndrome might be the barisystemic syndrome. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.