Prevalence of body iron excess in the metabolic syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome, clinically defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII), affects 25% of western adults. The metabolic syndrome is closely linked to insulin resistance and implies an increased cardiovascular risk. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between body iron excess and insulin metabolism. Studies have shown an association between serum ferritin and one or more metabolic syndrome feature. Moreover, a syndrome characterized by hepatic iron overload (HIO) associated with insulin resistance features (insulin resistance–associated HIO [IR-HIO]), unrelated to genetic hemochromatosis, has been described. IR-HIO currently represents the most frequent indication to venesection in referral care units for iron overload. Data on the other side of the phenomenon, namely the prevalence of a potentially relevant iron overload in subjects selected for having metabolic syndrome, are scanty.