[Waist-to-height ratio as a coronary risk predictor among adults].
BACKGROUND
This study proposes to identify the sensibility, specificity and the best cut-off point for waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as a predictor of coronary high risk (CHR).


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was applied to a population comprised of 968 adults between 30 and 74 years of age, of which 391 (40.4%) were male. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to identify the sensibility and specificity of the best cut-off point for WHtR as a predictor of CHR. The statistical significance of the area under ROC curve was also verified using a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.


RESULTS
The total area under ROC curve between WHtR and coronary risk was 0.75, CI 95% (0.70-0.81) for men and 0.69, CI 95% (0.64-0.75) for women. For men, 0.52 was found to be the best cut-off point for predicting CHR (sensibility 68% and specificity 64%). Among women, 0.53 was the best cut-off point for discriminating CHR (sensibility 67% and specificity 58%).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that the WHtR may be employed to identify CHR and must be compared to other anthropometric indicators of obesity.
Pitanga
Francisco José Gondim
FJ
Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Luis Tarquínio Pontes 600, Centro Cep. 42.700-00, Lauro de Freitas, Bahia. pitangas@lognet.com.br
Lessa
Ines
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001827:Body Height; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio / Q000379:methods*