The incidence of acute myocardial infarction in relation to overweight and obesity: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological evidence suggests that overweight and obesity have been associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, data on this issue are controversial. This study aims to use meta-analysis to determine whether overweight and obesity are related to AMI.


METHODS
We searched PubMed and Embase databases up to October 23(rd), 2013 for related literature. The association of overweight and obesity with AMI was assessed by odd ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) as the effect size. Then subgroup analysis was performed according to gender, area and study type.


RESULTS
Five primary studies (one cohort study and four case-control studies) were included in this meta-analysis involving 36 803 participants, 14 883 of whom had an AMI. There was a significant association between overweight and AMI (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.21-1.33, p < 0.001). Similar results revealed a relation between obesity and AMI (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.40, p = 0.003). Subgroup analysis showed that overweight and obesity were positively associated with AMI risk except for obese subjects in Europe. There was no publication bias (Begg's test p = 0.972, Egger's test p = 0.858).


CONCLUSIONS
Both overweight and obesity increased the incidence of AMI, and it is necessary to control weight to prevent AMI. A large number of studies is needed to explore the mechanisms that link overweight and obesity with AMI.
Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Chengdu Military Area Command, Tianhui Town, Jinniu District, Chengdu, China.
Jun
J
Zhu
Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Chengdu Military Area Command, Tianhui Town, Jinniu District, Chengdu, China.
Xiaohua
X
Su
Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Chengdu Military Area Command, Tianhui Town, Jinniu District, Chengdu, China.
Gang
G
Li
Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Chengdu Military Area Command, Tianhui Town, Jinniu District, Chengdu, China.
Jingsong
J
Chen
Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Chengdu Military Area Command, Tianhui Town, Jinniu District, Chengdu, China.
Bing
B
Tang
Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Chengdu Military Area Command, Tianhui Town, Jinniu District, Chengdu, China.
Yongjian
Y
Yang
acute myocardial infarction; meta-analysis; obesity; overweight