**Question:** Diagnostic criteria of Metabolic syndrome include (s) -

A. Abdominal obesity
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Elevated fasting plasma glucose
D. Elevated triglycerides

**Core Concept:**
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of interrelated risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. These risk factors include abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting plasma glucose, and elevated triglycerides. Metabolic syndrome is a clinical entity and not a disease itself.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer, D. Elevated triglycerides, is a key component of the diagnostic criteria for Metabolic syndrome. Elevated triglycerides contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in arteries, leading to heart disease and stroke. Additionally, elevated triglycerides are often associated with other risk factors of Metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal obesity and insulin resistance.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Abdominal obesity (Option A) is an essential component of the diagnostic criteria but it is not sufficient on its own to diagnose Metabolic syndrome.
B. Elevated blood pressure (Option B) is a defining feature of Metabolic syndrome, but it is not enough to diagnose the syndrome itself.
C. Elevated fasting plasma glucose (Option C) is a component but not all individuals with Metabolic syndrome will have elevated fasting plasma glucose, making it insufficient for diagnosis.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right (Repeated)**
D. Elevated triglycerides (Option D) is a key feature of Metabolic syndrome, contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases and other components of the syndrome.

**Clinical Pearl:**
The diagnosis of Metabolic syndrome requires the presence of at least three of the following features:
1. Abdominal obesity (waist circumference >90cm for males and >80cm for females)
2. Elevated blood pressure (>130/85mmHg or on antihypertensive medications)
3. Elevated fasting plasma glucose (100-125mg/dL or on antidiabetic medications)
4. Elevated triglycerides (150 mg/dL or on medications)
5. Low HDL cholesterol (<40mg/dL for males, <50mg/dL for females or on medications) **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:** A. Abdominal obesity (Option A) is a defining feature but requires the presence of other criteria to confirm Metabolic syndrome diagnosis. B. Elevated blood pressure (Option B) is a feature but requires additional criteria to diagnose Metabolic syndrome. C. Elevated fasting plasma glucose (Option C) is a feature but requires the presence of other criteria to diagnose Metabolic syndrome. D. Elevated triglycerides (Option D) is a defining feature of Metabolic syndrome and contributes to cardiovascular diseases and other components of the syndrome. E. Low HDL cholesterol (Option E) is a feature but requires