Contemporary Management of the Metabolic Syndrome

Contemporary Management
of the Metabolic Syndrome 2005
SPECIAL FOCUS: IMPLICATIONS FOR
THE DIABETIC AND PREDIABETIC PATIENT

NEEDS STATEMENT
Recent studies show that the metabolic syndrome, a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors, now affects approximately 47 million Americans, or 1 in 4 adults. These same data, under closer scrutiny, show that the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is higher among certain ethnic and gender subpopulations.

An understanding of the root causes of the metabolic syndrome is vital to curbing this alarming trend. This educational reference guide explores the underlying risk factors and their comorbidities—CVD and diabetes. An accurate diagnosis coupled with aggressive treatment strategies, including behavior modification and pharmacologic intervention, is necessary for optimal patient care.

Practitioners should be aware of the pervasive nature of the metabolic syndrome and the benefits of early detection. Ongoing physician education, such as this reference guide, will play a crucial role in the management of patients with this disease.

TARGET AUDIENCE
This reference guide is intended for cardiologists and primary care physicians.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

Identify the elements that comprise the metabolic syndrome, including risk factors and their defining levels.
Describe the approaches to the metabolic syndrome and the goals of therapy.
Explain the correlation between obesity and insulin resistance and the effects of atherogenic dyslipidemia and inflammation on treatment methods/protocols.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through joint sponsorship of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. (ABC) and McMahon Publishing Group. The ABC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians and takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The ABC designates this continuing medical educational activity for a maximum of one (1) Category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours actually spent in the activity.
A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of the post-test and completed activity evaluation form.

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE
This educational activity contains discussion of published and/or investigational use of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. The ABC and McMahon Publishing Group do not recommend the use of any agent outside the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Participants have an implied responsibility to use newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis and treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patients' conditions and possible contraindications to, or dangers of use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with the recommendations of other authorities.

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
The participant should, in order, read the reference guide and objectives, answer the 10-question, multiple-choice online post-test, and complete the online evaluation. The evaluation form provides each participant with the opportunity to comment on the quality of the instructional process, the perception of enhanced professional effectiveness, the perception of commercial bias, and his/her views on future educational needs. You will have two opportunities to submit the post-test. To receive credit for this activity you must score at least 70%. There is no fee associated with this activity. This credit will be valid through July 31, 2006. No credit will be given after this date.

FACULTY
Luther T. Clark, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Director, Cardiology Services
Kings County Hospital Center
Brooklyn, New York

Keith C. Ferdinand, MD
Medical Director
Heartbeats Life Center
Professor of Clinical Pharmacology
College of Pharmacy
Xavier University
New Orleans, Louisiana

Daphne P. Ferdinand, MN, RN, PhD
Director of Clinical Trials
Heartbeats Life Center
New Orleans, Louisiana

James R. Gavin, III, MD, PhD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
Executive Vice President for Clinical Affairs
Healing Our Village, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia

FACULTY DISCLOSURES
Luther T. Clark, MD
Grant/Research Support: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., Pfizer
Speaker's Bureau: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., Pfizer Inc., Schering-Plough

Keith C. Ferdinand, MD
Grant/Research Support: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Pfizer Inc.

Daphne P. Ferdinand, MN, RN, PhD
Grant/Research Support: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

James R. Gavin, III, MD, PhD
Grant/Research Support: Aventis, Sanofi-Synthelabo
Consultant: Aventis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis
Speakers' Bureau: Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline

DISCLAIMER
This educational review is provided as a medical supplement. It is designed to be a summary of information and should not be treated as an exhaustive pharmaceutical review. Sponsorship of this educational review does not imply the sponsor's agreement with the information contained in the review.

McMahon Publishing Group, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc., and the authors do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein. No liability will be assumed for the use of this educational review.

Readers are strongly urged to consult any relevant primary literature and the complete prescribing information for each drug.