Neck Circumference as a Tool for Predicting Hyperuricaemia: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study
CC01-CC03
Correspondence
Dr. Arvind Kumar Pal,
Senior Resident, Department of Physiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh-226003, India.
E-mail: avineet2008@rediffmail.com
Introduction: Upper-body fat distribution has long been recognised as a risk factor to increased cardiovascular disease. Neck circumference has been used as an index for upper body fat distribution. Serum uric acid levels are also included as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship of neck circumference as a parameter in predicting hyperuricaemia.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology and Pathology of King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, from December 2016 to April 2017. A total of 160 subjects aged 18-60 years were enrolled in the study excluding those having any anatomical deformity, diabetes and/or hypertension for more than five years. Their anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose and uric acid levels were measured.
Results: In this study, 62.5% subjects were males and 37.5% were females. Mean age of the study population was 38.8±13.17 years. The study population was divided into three groups based on their serum uric acid levels. Mean neck circumference of subjects with hyperuricaemia and normal serum uric acid levels were 38.42±2.34 cm and 37.35±3.99 cm respectively and was found significantly higher than subjects with below normal uric acid levels (34.80±4.33 cm). The association of uric acid level with neck circumference was highly significant (p - 0.011).
Conclusion: The significant association of uric acid level with neck circumference suggests neck circumference as an emerging novel marker for metabolic syndrome.