Leptin and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese children and adolescents.

AIM: To verify the relationship between leptin and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study evaluated 200 children and adolescents treated in Campina Grande, Brazil, from April 2009 to March 2010. Leptin, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides were determined. The t-test was used to compare leptin means of two groups and analysis of variance to compare means of three groups. Multiple comparisons of pairs of group means were performed with Tukey's test. In all tests, a significance level of 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: The leptin sample mean was 22.7 ± 10.0 µg/L (95% confidence interval: 21.3 µg/L to 24.1 µg/L). Leptin was significantly higher in the following groups: female, teenager, increased waist circumference, high systolic blood pressure, elevated triglycerides hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Most cardiometabolic risk factors had higher means in the last quartile of leptin, except total-cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides levels. HDL-C was reduced in the last quartile of leptin. Simple linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between leptin and HDL-C and a positive correlation between leptin and triglycerides, insulin, HOMA-IR, body mass index, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Multiple linear regression models showed an independent association between leptin and HDL-C, triglycerides, insulin, HOMA-IR, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, after age and gender control. CONCLUSION: Leptin may be a useful marker of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in obese adolescents.

Fibrinogen: cardiometabolic risk marker in obese or overweight children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of increased serum fibrinogen levels and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 138 children and adolescents (overweight or obese) followed at a reference outpatient clinic of the public health care network. Fibrinogen concentration was divided into quartiles, and values above or equal to the third quartile were considered high. The association between high fibrinogen values and cardiometabolic risk factors was assessed using Pearson's chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, as necessary. Logistic regression was used to adjust variables predictive of fibrinogen levels. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0 and SAS software, considering a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: Serum fibrinogen levels were elevated in 28.3% of individuals, showing association with the presence of high CRP (p=0.003, PR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.30-4.46) and the presence of four or more risk factors (p=0.042; PR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.00-3.17). After a logistic regression, only elevated CRP remained associated with altered fibrinogen levels (p=0.024; PR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.09-5.25). CONCLUSIONS: Increased fibrinogen was prevalent in the study population and was associated with ultrasensitive C-reactive protein and the presence of four or more cardiovascular risk factors; it should be included in the assessment of individuals at risk.

Association of uric acid levels with components of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in overweight or obese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum uric acid concentration according to the presence or absence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and/or metabolic syndrome (MS) in overweight or obese children and adolescents. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from April of 2009 to March of 2010, including 129 children and adolescents treated at the Center for Childhood Obesity. Anthropometric data, blood pressure measurements, and laboratory test results were obtained, and NAFLD diagnosis was made by ultrasound. The diagnosis of MS was made using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III, adapted to age range. The chi-squared test or or Fisher's test were used to evaluate the association of uric acid with the groups, with a 95% confidence interval. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparison of means. Multiple logistic regression was used for adjustment of variables. The data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), release 17. RESULTS: High levels of uric acid were significantly associated with adolescence, MS, and systolic blood pressure. The highest quartile of uric acid showed significantly higher values of body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR), and lower mean values of HDL cholesterol. In the final model, only age range and the presence of MS remained associated with uric acid levels. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of uric acid were associated with MS and adolescence, which was not observed with NAFLD.

Fibrinogen: cardiometabolic risk marker in obese or overweight children and adolescents / Fibrinogênio: marcador de risco cardiometabólico em crianças e adolescentes obesos ou com sobrepeso

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of increased serum fibrinogen levels and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 138 children and adolescents (overweight or obese) followed at a reference outpatient clinic of the public health care network. Fibrinogen concentration was divided into quartiles, and values above or equal to the third quartile were considered high. The association between high fibrinogen values and cardiometabolic risk factors was assessed using Pearson's chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, as necessary. Logistic regression was used to adjust variables predictive of fibrinogen levels. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0 and SAS software, considering a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: Serum fibrinogen levels were elevated in 28.3% of individuals, showing association with the presence of high CRP (p = 0.003, PR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.30-4.46) and the presence of four or more risk factors (p = 0.042; PR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.00-3.17). After a logistic regression, only elevated CRP remained associated with altered fibrinogen levels (p = 0.024; PR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.09-5.25). CONCLUSIONS: Increased fibrinogen was prevalent in the study population and was associated with ultrasensitive C-reactive protein and the presence of four or more cardiovascular risk factors; it should be included in the assessment of individuals at risk.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: Verificar a prevalência de níveis séricos elevados de fibrinogênio e sua associação com os fatores de risco cardiometabólicos em crianças e adolescentes com sobrepeso ou obesidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 138 crianças e adolescentes (obesos ou com sobrepeso) acompanhados em um ambulatório de referência da rede pública. A concentração do fibrinogênio foi distribuída em quartis e considerada elevada quando os valores eram iguais ou superiores ao terceiro quartil. A associação entre o valor elevado do fibrinogênio com os fatores de risco cardiometabólicos foi verificada com o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson ou o teste exato de Fisher, quando necessário. A regressão logística foi usada para ajuste das variáveis preditoras do nível do fibrinogênio. As análises foram feitas no SPSS 22.0 e SAS e considerou-se o intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: Os níveis séricos de fibrinogênio estiveram elevados em 28,3% dos indivíduos e apresentaram associação com a PCR elevada (RP: 2,41; IC95%: 1,30-4,46, p = 0,003) e com a presença de quatro ou mais fatores de risco (RP: 1,78; IC95%: 1,00-3,17; p = 0,042). Após a regressão logística, apenas o PCR elevado continuou associado ao fibrinogênio alterado (RP: 1,32; IC95% 1,09-5,25; p = 0,024). CONCLUSÕES: O aumento do fibrinogênio foi prevalente na população estudada, esteve associado à proteína C reativa ultrassensível e ao número igual ou superior a quatro de fatores de risco cardiovasculares e deve ser incluído na avaliação de indivíduos sob risco.

Relação entre ácido úrico e os componentes da síndrome metabólica e esteatose hepática não alcoólica em crianças e adolescentes com sobrepeso ou obesidade / Association of uric acid levels with components of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in overweight or obese children and adolescents

OBJETIVO: Verificar a relação entre a concentração de ácido úrico sérico de acordo com a presença ou não de esteatose hepática não alcoólica e/ou síndrome metabólica (SM) em crianças e adolescentes com sobrepeso ou obesidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal desenvolvido no período de abril/2009 a março/2010, incluindo 129 crianças e adolescentes atendidos no Centro de Obesidade Infantil. Foi realizada antropometria, aferição da pressão arterial, dosagem dos exames laboratoriais e o diagnóstico de esteatose hepática por exame ultrassonográfico. Para o diagnóstico de SM, foram utilizados os critérios da National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III adaptados para faixa etária. Para avaliação da associação do ácido úrico com os grupos, foi realizado o teste do Qui-quadrado ou Fisher, adotando-se o intervalo de confiança de 95%. Para comparação de médias, utilizou-se o ANOVA One Way. Para o ajuste das variáveis foi utilizada a regressão logística múltipla. Os dados foram processados no SPSS versão 17. RESULTADOS: Níveis elevados de ácido úrico associaram-se significativamente à adolescência, SM e pressão arterial sistólica. O maior quartil de ácido úrico apresentou valores médios significativamente mais elevados de índice de massa corpórea, circunferência abdominal, pressão arterial sistólica, pressão arterial diastólica, triglicerídeos, colesterol total e HOMA-IR, e menor média do colesterol HDL. No modelo final só permaneceram associadas aos níveis de ácido úrico a faixa etária e a presença de síndrome metabólica. CONCLUSÕES: Níveis elevados de ácido úrico estiveram associados à síndrome metabólica e à adolescência, o que não foi observado com a esteatose hepática.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum uric acid concentration according to the presence or absence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and/or metabolic syndrome (MS) in overweight or obese children and adolescents. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from April of 2009 to March of 2010, including 129 children and adolescents treated at the Center for Childhood Obesity. Anthropometric data, blood pressure measurements, and laboratory test results were obtained, and NAFLD diagnosis was made by ultrasound. The diagnosis of MS was made using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III, adapted to age range. The chi-squared test or or Fisher's test were used to evaluate the association of uric acid with the groups, with a 95% confidence interval. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparison of means. Multiple logistic regression was used for adjustment of variables. The data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), release 17. RESULTS: High levels of uric acid were significantly associated with adolescence, MS, and systolic blood pressure. The highest quartile of uric acid showed significantly higher values of body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR), and lower mean values of HDL cholesterol. In the final model, only age range and the presence of MS remained associated with uric acid levels. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of uric acid were associated with MS and adolescence, which was not observed with NAFLD.