Is there a benefit to use calculated percent body fat or age- and gender-adjusted BMI-SDS(LMS) to predict risk factors for cardiovascular disease? A German/Austrian multicenter DPV-Wiss analysis on 42 048 type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: In clinical practice Body Mass Index is generally used to evaluate overweight status in adults. The present multicenter study examines whether Body Mass Index (BMI), age- and gender-adjusted Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score, or calculated %body fat is a better predictor for cardiovascular disease risk factors, specifically hypertension and dyslipidemia, in a high-risk population. METHODS: Data of 42 048 adult type 2 diabetic patients (median age: 67.1 years) from 161 centers in Germany (n=158) and Austria (n=3) registered in a standardized, prospective, computer-based documentation program, were included in the study. For each patient body weight, height, blood pressure and blood lipids were documented. Spearman correlation analyses as well as multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between anthropometric measurements and cardiovascular disease risk factors. RESULTS: Correlation and regression analyses revealed minor, non significant differences between the 3 anthropometric measurements (all p>0.05). In both genders, relationships between anthropometric measurements and hypertension or reduced HDL-cholesterol were nearly identical. Only for increased triglycerides, the relations with the 3 anthropometric measurements were significantly stronger in males than in females (p<0.0001, respectively). With increasing age, associations between anthropometric measurements and hypertension, reduced HDL-cholesterol or increased triglycerides became weaker. Spearman correlation coefficients for total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol revealed weak associations with the 3 anthropometric measurements. CONCLUSION: Compared to Body Mass Index, age- and gender-adjusted Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score, or calculation of %body fat, has no further benefit to predict cardiovascular disease risk factors in adult type 2 diabetic patients.