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. 2023 Dec 4;142(3):e2022415.
doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0415.R2.310523. eCollection 2023.

Cut-off points of neck and waist circumference as predictors of obstructive sleep apnea in the Colombian population: a comparison with polysomnography

Sandra Brigitte Amado Garzon  1 , Oscar Mauricio Muñoz-Velandia  2 , Alvaro J Ruiz  3 , Patricia Hidalgo Martínez  4 , Liliana Otero  5
Affiliations

Cut-off points of neck and waist circumference as predictors of obstructive sleep apnea in the Colombian population: a comparison with polysomnography

Sandra Brigitte Amado Garzon et al. Sao Paulo Med J. .

Abstract

Background: Neck circumference (NC) is a useful anthropometric measure for predicting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Ethnicity and sex also influence obesity phenotypes. NC cut-offs for defining OSA have not been established for the Latin American population.

Objectives: To evaluate NC, waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI) as predictors of OSA in the Colombian population and to determine optimal cut-off points.

Design and setting: Diagnostic tests were conducted at the Javeriana University, Bogota.

Methods: Adults from three cities in Colombia were included. NC, WC, and BMI were measured, and a polysomnogram provided the reference standard. The discrimination capacity and best cut-off points for diagnosing OSA were calculated.

Results: 964 patients were included (57.7% men; median age, 58 years) and 43.4% had OSA. The discrimination capacity of NC was similar for men and women (area under curve, AUC 0.63 versus 0.66, P = 0.39) but better for women under 60 years old (AUC 0.69 versus 0.57, P < 0.05). WC had better discrimination capacity for women (AUC 0.69 versus 0.57, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in BMI. Optimal NC cut-off points were 36.5 cm for women (sensitivity [S]: 71.7%, specificity [E]: 55.3%) and 41 cm for men (S: 56%, E: 62%); and for WC, 97 cm for women (S: 65%, E: 69%) and 99 cm for men (S: 53%, E: 58%).

Conclusions: NC and WC have moderate discrimination capacities for diagnosing OSA. The cut-off values suggest differences between Latin- and North American as well as Asian populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Operative characteristics curves for neck circumference, waist circumference, and body mass index, according to sex.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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