Análise da circunferência do pescoço como marcador para síndrome metabólica em estudantes de uma universidade pública de Fortaleza-CE

Abstract

In recent years, the metabolic syndrome has aroused profound interest and debate in the scientific community. The epidemiological ascent of this disorder occurs in a wide range of populations and age groups, in addition to its capacity to aggregate various risk factors for cardiovascular illnesses, such as increased anthropometric measures, atherogenic dyslipidemias, systemic arterial hypertension, alterations in carbohydrate metabolism, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic status. This syndrome is associated with a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, early coronary disease and high morbidity and mortality levels for cardiovascular complications. The general aim was analyze neck circumference as a possible marker for the metabolic syndrome in students at a public university in Fortaleza-CE. An exploratory, quantitative, cross-sectional and observational study was developed between March 2010 and June 2011 at University Federal of Ceará, involving 702 college students from the six large knowledge areas. Study participants were 440 women and 262 men between 16 and 58 years of age. An association was perceived between neck circumference (NC) and sociodemographic data: 43.9% of men and 7.1% of women showed altered NC, with statistical significance at p < 0.0001. A similar situation occurred for age (p< 0.001), occupational situation (p<0.031) and the semester (p < 0.012). Concerning physical exercise, 22.4% of the subjects who exercise regularly displayed altered NC (p < 0.503). The BMI also showed statistical significance with p<0.0001. NC indicated a positive correlation with all metabolic syndrome components according to NCEP/ATP III criteria. In conclusion, NC is a predictive marker of the metabolic syndrome in a population of college students. The importance of further research on this theme is highlighted though.