Waist circumference and metabolic syndrome: the risk for silent coronary artery disease in males.
BACKGROUND
Waist circumference (WC) is a component used to define metabolic syndrome. However, its role as an independent predictor of silent coronary artery disease (CAD), above its contribution to metabolic syndrome, remains unknown.


METHODS
Male veterans without known CAD, undergoing cardiac stress testing for indications other than typical angina or its equivalent, were evaluated for the presence of silent CAD. High WC and metabolic syndrome were defined per the revised National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-R) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.


RESULTS
Data on 1,071 patients (age 61±11 years) were analyzed retrospectively. On multivariable logistic regression analysis [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), P value), a WC ≥94 cm (1.42, 1.04-1.93; P=0.026), metabolic syndrome by NCEP-R (1.73, 1.29-2.33; P<0.0001), and metabolic syndrome by IDF (1.57, 1.17-2.11; P=0.003) were independent predictors of silent CAD. When comparing patients meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome defined by either NCEP-R or IDF, the prevalence of silent CAD was not statistically different (P=0.86). The prevalence of silent CAD associated with a high WC was not inferior to that seen between silent CAD and metabolic syndrome as defined by either criterion. Last, among patients with metabolic syndrome defined by NCEP-R, those with a high WC as a defining component of metabolic syndrome had a higher prevalence of silent CAD (30% vs. 20%; P=0.026).


CONCLUSIONS
A WC ≥94 cm in males is independently associated with an increased prevalence of silent CAD. In patients with metabolic syndrome, this prevalence is increased by the presence of high WC.
Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Kairav P
KP
Vakil
Saurabh
S
Malhotra
Stephen
S
Sawada
Steffanie R
SR
Campbell
Sameh
S
Sayfo
Masoor
M
Kamalesh
D000368:Aged; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging / Q000379:methods; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D055105:Waist Circumference