Is the screening of metabolic syndrome using adiponectin possible?

We examined the accuracy of metabolic syndrome screening with adiponectin. Among those who underwent general health examinations at our institution, the total adiponectin level was measured in 6,368 (3,461 males, 2,907 females), with a mean age of 45.9 ± 9.4 years. Metabolic syndrome was found in 1,037 males (30.0 %) and 114 females (3.9 %). The total adiponectin level was divided into deciles, and the accuracy of metabolic syndrome screening was compared among individual divisions. The accuracy of screening in persons meeting two or more criteria for metabolic syndrome was investigated. Regarding the abdominal circumference as a reference, in males with a total adiponectin level ≤3.5, the sensitivity and specificity were 53.6 and 66.3 %, respectively. In females with a total adiponectin level ≤6.1, they were 69.3 and 60.7 %, respectively. Regarding the visceral fat area as a reference, in males with a total adiponectin level ≤4.0, they were 65.4 and 56.9 %, respectively. In females with a total adiponectin level ≤6.1, they were 75.3 and 60.5 %, respectively. Thus, it was possible to screen for metabolic syndrome using adiponectin. Using other risk factors, we examined the accuracy of metabolic syndrome screening with the visceral fat area as a reference. The areas under the curve of waist circumference, age, body mass index, alanine aminotransferase concentration, uric acid concentration, and total adiponectin were respectively 0.81, 0.68, 0.78, 0.68, 0.61, and 0.64 in males and 0.94, 0.79, 0.92, 0.80, 0.76 and 0.75 in females.