RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a combination of disorders that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of waist circumference index of metabolic syndrome on the establishment of reference intervals. METHODS: We selected 2,442 adults (1,324 men and 1,118 women) samples who took medical check-up at our hospital health promotion center from January 1, 2008 to May 20, 2008. Study groups were divided into two subgroups by waist circumference. The data was statistically analyzed using SAS 8.2 for Gaussian distribution and t-test. RESULTS: Leukocyte counts, erythrocyte counts, platelet counts, and hs-CRP showed difference in reference intervals, but no significant differences were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). In most of routine chemistry items, reference intervals were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because waist circumference is measured exactly by physician, use of waist circumference for prior sampling in setting of reference intervals would be very useful for selection of healthy person.