Sex-related differential prevalence of central obesity in diabetes mellitus: a multi-centred survey in North-Central Nigeria

Contrary to the old dictum that central obesity is more common among men than women, recent reports have shown a gradual reversal of this trend, as suggested by some studies. Objective: To compare the prevalence of central obesity among men and women with Diabetes mellitus in NorthCentral Nigeria. Methods: This multi-centred, cross-sectional study was conducted across 20 hospitals in Abuja, Nasarawa State, and Niger State, involving 1040 participants. Some obesity indices (body mass index, waist circumference and waist-toheight ratio) were measured. Results: The prevalence of central obesity (waist circumference criterion) was significantly higher in the females compared to male participants (89.6% vs 51.6%, χ2 = 1231.37, p<0.001), similar to the prevalence determined by waistheight ratio criterion (female vs male, 88.8% vs 71.5%, χ2 = 58.83, p<0.001). Following correction for age, duration of diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, blood glucose, and glycated haemoglobin using logistic regression, female gender remained a significant determinant of central obesity (OR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.81-3.83, p = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence of central obesity was higher among women than men in a cross-section of patients with diabetes mellitus in North-Central Nigeria

Association between anthropometry and cardiovascular risk in patients attending a diabetic clinic

Background Obesity is a well-documented risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with increasing evidence to suggest visceral adiposity as a greater risk factor for CVD than body mass index (BMI). Objectives To determine a relationship between hypertension (HPT) and anthropometry in people living with diabetes (PLWD) in an HIV endemic area. Methods This was a retrospective study analysing data captured from standardised clinic sheets from the DM clinic at the Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Results Data from 957 PLWD were used for the study, the majority of whom had T2DM (811; 86.2%). Approximately one-sixth of the cohort had HIV infection (146; 15.3%). There was no significant difference in HPT prevalence between the HIV-uninfected (77.9%) and PLWD who had HIV (PLWDHIV) (78.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed females with increased waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WTHR) were 57.8 (95% CI 3.04­1096.33) (p = 0.007) and 87.2 (95% CI 4.88­1558.28) (p = 0.002) times more likely to be hypertensive respectively. By contrast, only BMI in males was associated with HPT with a AOR 5.294 (95% CI 1.54 - 18.22) (p = 0.008). HIV status was non-contributory to anthropometry in predicting HPT in PLWD. Conclusion Our study found that anthropometric indices are not all equal predictors of HPT. The authors advocate for local guidance on gender-specific cut-offs on anthropometry in PLWD.