Utility of the anthropometric variables in the diagnosis and characterization of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the relationship of anthropometry with the prediction and description of T2DM patients in adults. Method: A search in PubMed, Web of Sciences and Scopus was performed up to December 2019. During the process, the PRISMA statement was followed. Results: A total of 2622 articles were screened and 15 were included in the review. The quality of the studies included in the review was assessed with the STROBE scale for descriptive studies (range 16-21). Body mass index (BMI) (10 articles, 66.6%), waist circumference (WC) (10 articles, 66.6%), waist to hip ratio (WHR) (6 articles, 40%), and waist to height ratio (WHtR) (3 articles, 20%) were the most commonly used variables in these studies in relation to T2DM. Conclusions: Adults with T2DM risk factors or diagnosed with T2DM tend to have higher BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR. Anthropometry has been shown to be an efficient and reliable technique for predicting and describing patients diagnosed with T2DM when a combination of variables is used.