title: Neck circumference and cardio- metabolic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Only few studies about neck circumference (NC) as a measure of cardio metabolic syndrome available from India. Study was conducted to establish an association between neck circumference and cardio metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India. NCEP: ATPIII 2001 guideline was used for diagnosis of Cardio-metabolic syndrome among subjects. Neck circumference was measured and it was correlated with Cardio-metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean neck circumference was found to be 36.5 cms. Cardio-metabolic syndrome was present in 272 participants, of which 100 were females and 172 males. Among females 82(82%) had neck circumference >34cms, 18(18%) had <34cms and among males 117(68%)had NC >37cms and 55(32%) had NC<37cms. All individual parameter of cardio metabolic risk factor, i.e., BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, FBS, HDL & TG except waist/hip ratio were correlating with abnormal neck circumference when compared with those with normal neck circumference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neck circumference with metabolic syndrome correlated better among females than males. Men with NC >37 cm and women with NC >34 cm are more prone for cardio metabolic syndrome and require additional evaluation. Measurement of NC is a simple, time saving, and least invasive measurement tool.
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of General Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore , Manipal University, India .
authors.forename: Nagendran Vijaya
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head of Unit, Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore , Manipal University, India .
authors.forename: Mohammed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of General Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore , Manipal University, India .
authors.forename: Mahesha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: P
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore , Manipal University, India .
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: M
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate, Department of General Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore , Manipal University, India .
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tripathy
keywords: BMI; Metabolic syndrome; Waist-hip ratio