S K Vasan1, N Thomas2, S Christopher3, F S Geethanjali4, T V Paul2, C B Sanjeevi5. 1. Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Molecular Medicine & Surgery, Karolinska INSTITUTET, Stockholm, Sweden. 2. Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. 3. Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. 4. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. 5. Department of Molecular Medicine & Surgery, Karolinska INSTITUTET, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine which anthropometric measurement correlates best with the metabolic abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome in adolescents and young adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Schools, high schools and universities. PARTICIPANTS: 1359 adolescents and young adults aged 14-25 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric predictors of metabolic abnormalities as classified by International Diabetes Federation definition. RESULTS: The waist circumference (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.43: p≤0.01) and the abdominal skin fold thickness (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.04, p≤0.01) above the third quintile cut-offs were found to be significantly associated with metabolic abnormalities. The sensitivity of either one of these measurements in predicting metabolic abnormalities was 66.1% with a negative predictive value of 82.8%. Hyperglycaemia was significantly associated with an abdominal skin fold thickness over the fourth quintile alone (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.1). All the anthropometric measurements correlated well with elevated triglycerides and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In a large community-based cross-sectional survey of subjects aged 14-25 years, the waist circumference and the abdominal skin fold thickness are important predictors of the metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome. This simple clinical tool may help in a primary care setting to identify subjects who require a further biochemical evaluation and would considerably reduce the cost of unwarranted testing.
OBJECTIVES: To determine which anthropometric measurement correlates best with the metabolic abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome in adolescents and young adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Schools, high schools and universities. PARTICIPANTS: 1359 adolescents and young adults aged 14-25 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric predictors of metabolic abnormalities as classified by International Diabetes Federation definition. RESULTS: The waist circumference (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.43: p≤0.01) and the abdominal skin fold thickness (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.04, p≤0.01) above the third quintile cut-offs were found to be significantly associated with metabolic abnormalities. The sensitivity of either one of these measurements in predicting metabolic abnormalities was 66.1% with a negative predictive value of 82.8%. Hyperglycaemia was significantly associated with an abdominal skin fold thickness over the fourth quintile alone (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.1). All the anthropometric measurements correlated well with elevated triglycerides and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In a large community-based cross-sectional survey of subjects aged 14-25 years, the waist circumference and the abdominal skin fold thickness are important predictors of the metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome. This simple clinical tool may help in a primary care setting to identify subjects who require a further biochemical evaluation and would considerably reduce the cost of unwarranted testing.