Predictors of the metabolic syndrome and correlation with computed axial tomography.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated which anthropometric variables or imaging techniques, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometric densitometry (DXA) or bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), are the most important determinants of the metabolic syndrome. We also evaluated the correlation between anthropometric parameters and DXA and computed axial tomography (CAT) in predicting visceral fat.


METHODS
In a series of 399 overweight or obese patients (29.8% male and 70.2% female), anthropometric variables and imaging techniques (DXA or BIA) were measured and correlated with each component of the metabolic syndrome (diagnosed according to the criteria of the Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults of the National Cholesterol Education Program [Adult Treatment Panel III], with the exception of waist circumference). In a subpopulation of 109 patients, CAT was used to assess visceral fat and its correlation with the anthropometric variables and DXA.


RESULTS
Applying receiver operating characteristic curves, the waist/height ratio was the best determinant of the metabolic syndrome (0.758, 95% confidence interval 0.634-0.882). The intra-abdominal diameter determined by DXA (r = 0.657, P < 0.001) and the waist/hip ratio (r = 0.603, P < 0.001) had the best correlation with visceral fat as measured by CAT.


CONCLUSIONS
The prediction of visceral fat in overweight and obese patients, as assessed by anthropometric tests and DXA, offers a good alternative to CAT, without significant differences between them.
Soto González
Alfonso
A
Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Juan Canalejo Hospital, The Coruña, Spain. asotog10@yahoo.es
Bellido
Diego
D
Buño
María Manuela
MM
Pértega
Sonia
S
De Luis
Daniel
D
Martínez-Olmos
Miguel
M
Vidal
Ovidio
O
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio