Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The metabolic syndrome is one of the fastest growing epidemics of the modern era in both the industrialised as well as developing world. Waist circumference (WC) is an important component to diagnose metabolic syndrome. Cut off point of WC to diagnose metabolic syndrome is different in.different ethnic groups.

Objective: To study and correlate the variation in prevalence of metabolic syndrome depending on the site of waist measurement and to study the effect of gender on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome with variation of site of waist measurement.

Methods: In a prospective, observational and non interventional study, 1000 patients (550 males and 450 females) were screened, out of which 151 patients found to have metabolic syndrome based on Asian Indian guidelines. Patients with gross ascites, pregnancy, substance abuse and age <20 and >70 years were excluded from study. Waist circumference (WC) of each study subject was taken at four different sites.

Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in study population found to be 15.1%. There is no statistically significant difference between male and female in the age, TG level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure while the difference in HDL levels, and fasting blood sugar levels found to be statistic significance (P<0.001).The mean WC was maximum when measured at WC4 in both male and female groups. In males, the sensitivity of detection of metabolic syndrome and PPV were maximum at WC4 and minimum at WC2 while specificity and NPV were same at all four sites.

Conclusion: The females in study population have higher HDL than males while males have higher fasting blood sugar than females. WC4 is statistically the best site for detection of metabolic syndrome in whole population sample and in females but in males the sensitivity is maximally at WC4 but it is not statistically significant.