The Reuters wire service reports that "the world's top two diabetes organizations have questioned the existence of a medical condition widely cited by drug firms, in a move that could hamper prospects for Sanofi-Aventis's new drug Acomplia. The American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes said in a joint statement on Thursday that 'metabolic syndrome' -- which has come to be seen as a predictor of cardiovascular disease -- was poorly defined, inconsistently used and in need of further research. Doctors should not diagnose people with the 'syndrome' or treat it as a separate condition until the science behind it is clear, according to a paper to be published in the September issue of Diabetes Care and Diabetologia."
Reuters reports that the " strongly worded warning was a setback for Sanofi, which is keen to position its anti-obesity drug Acomplia as a medicine to treat 'metabolic syndrome.' "
"Metabolic syndrome" has been defined as applying to anyone with three or more of the following conditions -- a large waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, low levels of HDL "good" cholesterol and high blood glucose.
The naming of new diseases and new syndromes to help sell drugs is well documented in books by Moynihan, Goozner, Avorn, Angell and others. It is refreshing to see scientists put up a STOP sign in at least one case.
Posted by schwitz at August 26, 2005 09:07 AM | TrackBackIt seems quite conspiratorial to me to say that metabolic syndrome was created to sell drugs. Metabolic syndrome is a serious precursor to diabetes, and eventually heart disease. Metabolic syndrome should serve as a wake up call to those afflicted with it to inspire them to change their lifestyles. Who is it going to hurt? If you have three or more of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome, then you are at risk. I do not think that putting a stop to the term metabolic syndrome or the treatment of it will help anyone, only hurt them tremendously. My mother was disagnosed with metabolic syndrome and later diabetes. I feel like metabolic syndrome gave her a serious warning and now she can try to avoid heart disease and reverse the effects of her sedentary lifestyle with diet and exercise, and yes, maybe drugs. Patients being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome are in real danger and just because doctors may be prescribing drugs to help them reverse what is already done and prevent what may be coming, does not mean that it is some conspiracy to sell more drugs.
Posted by: Haley at April 11, 2006 04:11 PM