Hips don't lie: Waist-to-hip ratio in trauma patients

Bellal Joseph, Bardiya Zangbar, Ansab Abbas Haider, Naroung Kulvatunyou, Mazhar Khalil, Andrew Tang, Terence OKeeffe, Randall S. Friese, Tahereh Orouji Jokar, Gary Vercruysse, Rifat Latifi, Peter Rhee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND Obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) is known to be associated with worse outcomes in trauma patients. Recent studies have assessed the impact of distribution of body fat measured by waist-hip ratio (WHR) on outcomes in nontrauma patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of distribution of body fat (WHR) on outcomes in trauma patients. METHODS A 6-month (June to November 2013) prospective cohort analysis of all admitted trauma patients was performed at our Level 1 trauma center. WHR was measured in each patient on the first day of hospital admission. Patients were stratified into two groups: patients with WHR of 1 or greater and patients with WHR of less than 1. Outcome measures were complications and in-hospital mortality. Complications were defined as infectious, pulmonary, and renal complications. Regression and correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS A total of 240 patients were enrolled, of which 28.8% patients (n = 69) had WHR of 1 or greater. WHR had a weak correlation with BMI (R2 = 0.231, R = 0.481). Eighteen percent (n = 43) of the patients developed complications, and the mortality rate was 10% (n = 24). Patients with a WHR of 1 or greater were more likely to develop in-hospital complications (32% vs. 13%, p = 0.001) and had a higher mortality rate (24% vs. 4%, p = 0.001) compared with the patients with a WHR of less than 1. In multivariate analysis, a WHR of 1 or greater was an independent predictor for the development of complications (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval 1.08-9.2; p = 0.03) and mortality (odds ratio, 13.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-70; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION Distribution of body fat as measured by WHR independently predicts mortality and complications in trauma patients. WHR is better than BMI in predicting adverse outcomes in trauma patients. Assessing the fat distribution pattern in trauma patients may help improve patient outcomes through focused targeted intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic study, level II.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1055-1061
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Volume79
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Waist-to-hip ratio
  • body mass index
  • complications
  • trauma
  • waist circumference

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hips don't lie: Waist-to-hip ratio in trauma patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this