title: Abdominal obesity in type 2 diabetic patients visiting primary healthcare clinics in Trinidad, West Indies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the blood pressure and metabolic parameters of type 2 diabetic patients with high waist circumference (WC) with those of type 2 diabetic patients with normal WC.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 10-14 h overnight fasting, weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured, and blood samples taken for glucose, glycated haemoglobin, total cholesteroL triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and insulin determinations. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) method, while high WC was considered as WC > 102 cm and 89 cm for males and females, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two primary care clinics in Trinidad, West Indies.
  
  
  METHODS
  190 confirmed type 2 diabetic patients with mean duration of 9.2 years were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 75% and 17% of female and male patients, respectively, had high WC. Although blood pressure and lipid levels did not differ (p > 0.05) between patients with high and normal WC, the former group of patients had significantly higher mean levels of basal insulin and insulin resistance in each gender group (p < 0.001). However, female patients had an overall higher prevalence rate of hypercholesterolaemia (75% vs 52%) and higher LDL-cholesterol (84% vs 68%) than male patients (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there was similarity in the control of blood pressure and metabolic parameters irrespective of WC, patients with high WC might be at a comparatively higher risk of cardiovascular disease owing to greater basal insulin resistance. Early detection and treatment of abdominal obesity should therefore be encouraged in the primary healthcare setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad. ezenwaka@tstt.net.tt
authors.forename: Chidum Ernest
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ezenwaka
authors.forename: Nkechi Veronica
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Offiah
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014900:West Indies / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids