[Analysis of several anthropometric measurements for the identification of metabolic syndrome, with or without disturbance of glucose metabolism].

OBJECTIVE

This study compared anthropometric measurements and insulin resistance indexes of individuals with or without metabolic syndrome (MS), stratified by the presence of glycemic abnormalities.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

454 individuals (66% women, 54% Caucasians) were included, being 155 allocated to group 1 (without MS, without glycemic abnormality), 32 to group 2 (without MS, with glycemic abnormality), 104 to group 3 (with MS, without glycemic abnormality), and 163 to group 4 (with MS, with glycemic abnormality). Groups were compared by ANOVA.

RESULTS

Those with MS (3 and 4) showed the worst anthropometric and lipid profiles; in group 2, despite higher plasma glucose levels, the mean values of anthropometric variables and lipids did not differ from group 1. The highest mean values of HOMA-IR were found in the groups with MS, while group 2 showed the lowest HOMA-β. Triglyceride was the metabolic variable with the highest correlation coefficients with anthropometry. However, the strongest correlations were those of waist circumference (r = 0.503) and waist-to-height ratio (r = 0.513) with HOMA-IR (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that, in a sample of the Brazilian population, any anthropometric measure identifies individuals with MS, but such measurements seem to be unable to differentiate those with glycemic disturbance. We reinforce the strongest relationship of measures of central adiposity with insulin resistance, suggesting utility for the waist-to-height. An autoimmune component may be contributing to the deterioration of glucose metabolism of individuals from group 2.