July 12, 2007Open Access
View Full PaperDiagnostic performance of body mass index to detect obesity in patients with coronary artery disease
Structured PICO
Does body mass index accurately detect obesity in patients with coronary artery disease?
P
Population
Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)
I
Intervention
Body mass index (BMI) measurement
C
Comparator
Body composition techniques / true body fat percentage (BF%)
O
Outcome
Diagnostic performance to detect obesity (discrimination between body fat percentage and lean mass)surrogate
BMI is an inadequate metric for diagnosing obesity in CAD patients, which may explain the 'obesity paradox' where mild BMI elevations are linked to better survival.
Abstract
In patients with CAD, BMI does not discriminate between BF% and lean mass, and a BMI < 30 kg/m(2) is a poor index to diagnose obesity. These findings may explain the controversial findings that link mild elevations of BMI to better survival and fewer cardiovascular events in patients with CAD. Body composition techniques to accurately diagnose obesity in patients with CAD might be necessary.