Which method should be used to determine the obesity, in patients with coronary artery disease? (body mass index, waist circumference or waist-hip ratio).
OBJECTIVE
To determine body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-hip ratio (WHR) in cases with angiographically established coronary artery disease (CAD) and to compare the obesity degrees established according to the ranges determined by the International Guidelines Committees for BMI, waist circumference and WHR.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, observational study.


METHODS
A total of 617 consecutive cases (516 males, mean age: 57.2+/-10.8 y) with CAD who underwent their first coronary angiography between January 2000 and May 2000.


METHODS
Before coronary angiography, their heights, weights, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Waist circumferences, BMI and WHRs were compared both as a whole and also within stratified groups as for sexes and age groups categorized in decades above 40 y of age.


RESULTS
Overweight cases comprised approximately half of the patients in both sexes. In males, the percentages of obese cases with respect to BMIs were 15%, while males with action level 2 waist circumferences were detected to be 20%. Obese male patients whose WHRs were >or=0.95 were found to be 51%. In female cases, corresponding percentages of obesity were estimated to be 32, 72 and 86%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In the same patient groups, the prevalence of obesity, defined by BMI, waist circumference and WHR, could vary three-fold. Thus, some patients may not display a diagnosis of obesity. To prevent this possibility the waist circumference is an easy method, which reflects central obesity more accurately.
Sönmez
K
K
Department of Cardiology, Koşuyolu Heart and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. sonmez@hotmail.com
Akçakoyun
M
M
Akçay
A
A
Demir
D
D
Duran
N E
NE
Gençbay
M
M
Degertekin
M
M
Turan
F
F
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology