The association of the metabolic syndrome with QTc interval in NHANES III

Purpose To examine the relationship of metabolic syndrome with corrected QT interval duration. Methods In a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES III, a representative sample of the adult US population, 3,495 individuals aged >= 40 years were categorized as having metabolic syndrome and not having metabolic syndrome as defined by ATP III. QT interval was measured from the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Results A weighted multi-linear regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, serum calcium, and potassium showed that metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with a corrected QT interval in milliseconds. The adjusted Beta coefficient and its corresponding standard error were (4.48 milliseconds, 0.95 milliseconds, P < 0.01). Conclusion These data indicate that metabolic syndrome is independently associated with a corrected QT interval duration. This study calls for careful ECG monitoring among persons with metabolic syndrome for early detection of a long corrected QT interval in order to prevent severe and often fatal arrhythmias.