BACKGROUND Sex-related differences in the influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on various cardiovascular diseases have been suggested. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sex on the association between MetS and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS Two hundred ten patients (105 men and age-matched 105 women; mean age: 56.5 ± 10.9 years) undergoing elective coronary angiography for the evaluation of CAD were studied. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. LV diastolic function was assessed using transthoracic echocardiography.

RESULTS The incidence of MetS was 23.8% in men and 14.3% in women (P = 0.079). The incidence of LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly different by MetS in women, but not in men. In multiple linear regression analyses, the number of MetS components was independently associated with septal e' velocity, E/e', and left atrial (LA) diameter in women (P < 0.05 for each). In men, the number of MetS components was associated with only LA size in this analysis. As the number of components of MetS increased, septal e' velocity decreased proportionally in women (P < 0.001), but not in men (P = 0.117).

CONCLUSIONS Among middle-aged and elderly Korean patients at high risk of CAD, the impact of MetS on LV diastolic dysfunction was more pronounced in women than in men. This suggests the important role of sex hormonal effects in the development of LV diastolic dysfunction in relation to MetS in this population.