Is the Waist/Height Ratio a Better Parameter Than Bmi in Determining the Cardiometabolic Risk Profile of Obese People?

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of obesity has led to a significant increase in the occurrence of metabolic syndrome, a recognized risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia or type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension are its main components. Since 2015, international guidelines have recognized the benefits of bariatric surgery in each isolated factor of this syndrome. AIM: To evaluate the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in this syndrome comparing pre- and postoperative periods with laboratory analysis and to compare waist/height ratio and BMI in relation to the determination of the cardiometabolic risk profile. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out, selecting 80 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D, vitamin B12, waist circumference and waist/height ratio in three periods were analyzed: the preoperative period from 1 to 6 months, postoperative from 1 to 6 months and postoperative from 1 to 2 years. RESULTS: There was an improvement in all parameters of the clinical analyses. The preoperative BMI had a mean value of 39.8, in the preoperative period from 1 to 6 months, the values ​​dropped to 33.2 and in the postoperative period of 1 year, the mean was 26. The perimeter mean values ​​of 118.5 preoperatively, 105.2 postoperatively from 1 to 6 months and 90.3 postoperatively from 1 to 2 years. Waist/height ratio was 0.73, 0.65 and 0.56 in pre, post 1 to 6 months and 1 to 2 years respectively. CONCLUSION: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass improves metabolic syndrome and waist-to-height ratio is superior to BMI in the assessment of the cardiometabolic risk profile.