Which of the following are metabolic syndrome risk factors?

• A. Anemia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis
• B. Weight gain, hair loss
• C. Elevated liver enzymes, neuropathy
• D. Abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, HTN, impaired glucose tolerance

Answer: (D)

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that often arise from insulin resistance. The main components clinicians look for are central (abdominal) obesity, dyslipidemia (abnormal lipids), high blood pressure, and impaired glucose regulation (impaired glucose tolerance or elevated fasting glucose). When an individual has several of these factors, their risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease increases substantially.

The option listing abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance captures these established risk factors, so it best represents metabolic syndrome risk factors. The other options describe conditions or symptoms that aren’t part of the metabolic syndrome criteria, such as hematologic abnormalities, non-specific weight changes, or liver disease and neuropathy, which do not define this cluster of risks.