Uncomplicated metabolic syndrome is associated with prolonged electrocardiographic QTc interval and QTc dispersion

Aim: Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of mortality and morbidity. The present study evaluates the repolarization abnormalities in patients with uncomplicated metabolic syndrome measuring corrected QT interval (QTc) and corrected QT dispersion (QTd) on electrocardiogram. Methods: The study involved 83 subjects. A total of 50 individuals met criteria of metabolic syndrome (Group A: 11 men, 39 women, mean body mass index (BMI) 36.7 kg/m(2), mean waist circumference 117.3 cm). And 33 participants were healthy normal volunteers (Group B: 9 men, 24 women, mean BMI 21.3 kg/m(2), mean waist circumference 76.2 cm). The two groups were matched for age and sex. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The QTc intervals and QTd were measured. Results: Patients with uncomplicated metabolic syndrome had significantly higher values of QTc-min, QTc-max, and QTd than control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with uncomplicated metabolic syndrome have a greater dispersion of ventricular repolarization time and increased QTc-min and QTc-max.