Neck circumference as a predictor of metabolic disorders and renal diseases in hospitalized patients

Abstract

<h2>SUMMARY</h2><h3>Background & aims</h3> Malnutrition is one of the major problems in hospitalized patients which increases the risk of chronic diseases. This highlights the need for an appropriate indicator to predict the risk of cardiometabolic risk factors and numerous chronic diseases in these patients. Regarding of few studies in this context, we aimed to investigate a better understanding of associations between neck circumference (NC) with metabolic disorders and renal diseases in hospitalized patients. <h3>Methods</h3> This cross-sectional study conducted among 303 participants (167 77 and 136 men) hospitalized from March to June 2019 in internal disease wards of Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Demographic information, anthropometric (NC, height, and weight), biochemical and nutritional supportive, were collected and evaluated. <h3>Results</h3> In the present study, the mean age of men and women in three tertiles of NC were 57.76 ± 18.22, 56.16 ± 16.78, and 60.78 ± 14.22 years, respectively and there was no significant difference in the age of the three tertiles (P = 0.144). Men showed to have higher NC compared with women (p < 0.001), and patients with obesity had higher NC compared with normal weight patients (p < 0.001). Urea and creatinine as kidney indices showed a significant correlation (P < 0.001) and albumin showed an inverse significant correlation with NC (P = 0.025). Potassium (P < 0.001) and SBP (P = 0.033) had a significant correlation with NC. <h3>Conclusions</h3> NC as a feasible method can be used as a predictor of metabolic disorders and renal diseases in hospitalized patients.