Cecal intubation time during colonoscopy: Do waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio play better roles than body mass index?

Abstract

Backgroundand Aim: Among the factors that influence cecal intubation time (CIT) are gender, the quality of bowel preparation, age, prior abdominal surgery, constipation, the experience of the endoscopist, body mass index (BMI), the amount of visceral fat, and waist circumference (WC). This study aimed to compare the effects of WC and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) to that of BMI on CIT. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients had colonoscopy during the study period. The height and weight of each patient were taken using a stadiometer. BMI was calculated by dividing the weight in kilogram by the square of the height in meter. WC (cm) was measured at a point midway between the subcostal margin and the upper border of the iliac crest. Hip circumference (HC in cm) was measured at the greatest point between the iliac crest and the thighs. WHR was calculated by dividing the WC by the HC. Results: There were 60 (60%) males and 40 (40%) females. Mean age was 60.0 ± 13.1 years (range 27.0–87.0 years). Mean CIT was 1009.5 ± 410.7 s (range 329.0–2110.0 s). Mean BMI, WC, HC, and WHR were 25.5 ± 5.6, 92.2 ± 13.7 cm, 97.5 ± 11.7 cm, and 0.9 ± 0.1, respectively. Age ≥60 years and BMI ≤24.9 kg/m2 were significantly associated with a prolonged CIT in males. In both genders, WC and WHR were not significantly associated with CIT. Conclusion: Higher BMI, WC, and WHR were associated with shorter CIT. However, among these parameters, only BMI was found to be significantly associated with CIT in males.