This study is based on the following articles which are referred to in the text by citing the appropriate Roman numerals:
I Rantala, A.O., Kauma, H., Lilja, M., Savolainen, M.J., Reunanen, A. & Kesäniemi, Y.A. (1999) Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in drug-treated hypertensive patients and control subjects. J Intern Med 245:163–174.
II Rantala, A.O., Kauma, H., Lilja, M., Savolainen, M.J., Reunanen, A. & Kesäniemi, Y.A. (2000) Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and the metabolic syndrome. J Intern Med 248:230–238.
III Päivänsalo, M., Rantala, A., Kauma, H., Lilja, M., Reunanen, A., Savolainen, M.J., Kesäniemi, A. & Suramo, I. (1996) Prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged hypertensive and control subjects. A cross-sectional systematic study with duplex ultrasound. J Hypertens 14:1433–1439.