Relationship of obesity distribution and peripheral arterial occlusive disease in elderly men.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationships between total body fatness and abdominal fat distribution with peripheral arterial disease.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Population-based sample of 708 men aged 55-74.


METHODS
Body mass index (BMI) to estimate total body fatness and waist-to-hip ratio for abdominal fat distribution; peripheral arterial disease defined by ankle/brachial index <0.9; cardiovascular risk factors.


RESULTS
Peripheral arterial disease was observed in 13.4% of subjects. BMI did not correlate with peripheral arterial disease, whereas an increased waist-to-hip ratio over 0.966 (median value) doubled the prevalence of arterial disease. After controlling for smoking, diabetes, hypertension, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, increased waist-to-hip ratio was independently associated with peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio 1.68; 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.70).


CONCLUSIONS
Abdominal fat distribution, but not total body fatness, is associated with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, independently of concurrent cardiovascular risk factors.
Planas
A
A
Pubilla Casas Primary Health Center, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
Clará
A
A
Pou
J M
JM
Vidal-Barraquer
F
F
Gasol
A
A
de Moner
A
A
Contreras
C
C
Marrugat
J
J
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors