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Association of wrist circumference with cardio-metabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background and aims

The association of Wrist Circumference (WrC) with cardio-metabolic risk factors is still contradictory. We aimed to systematically review the association of WrC with cardio-metabolic diseases among the general populations.

Methods

We systematically searched electronic databases such as PubMed/Medline, Web of Sciences, and Scopus without language restriction until March 2017. Observational studies that examined the association of WrC with any cardio-metabolic risk factors were included. Pooled association of WrC with metabolic syndrome (MetS) was estimated using a random-effect model, and heterogeneity among studies was assessed by I2 index and Q test.

Results

A total of 14 papers including cohort study (n = 9), cross-sectional study (n = 4), and case–control study (n = 1) met the criteria and included. The eligible papers have been examined the association of WrC with any cardiovascular disorders (n = 8), metabolic syndrome (n = 4), insulin resistance (IR) (n = 5), diabetes mellitus (n = 2), impaired glucose tolerance (n = 1), cardio-metabolic risk factors (n = 2) and obesity/overweight (n = 1). In the whole population (both adults and pediatric population), high WrC increased the risk of MetS by 33% (Pooled OR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.20, 1.48; I2 = 60.2%, p = 0.04), while the pooled OR in adult populations was 1.27 (95% CI 1.15–1.41; I2: 32.8%, p = 0.21). Qualitative synthesis showed that associations of WrC with other cardio-metabolic risk factors are conflicting.

Conclusion

High WrC increased the risk of MetS and other cardio-metabolic risk factors. However, due to limited studies, particularly in children, results should be declared with great caution. Further cohort studies are needed to clarify whether WrC is a suitable anthropometric index to predict cardio-metabolic disorders in adult and children populations in different societies.

Level of evidence

Level 1, systematic review and meta-analysis

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by National Institute for Medical Research Development, Grant no. 958724.

Funding

This study was funded by National Institute for Medical Research Development, Grant no. 958724.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Nazli Namazi

  2. Development of Research and Technology Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

    Shirin Djalalinia

  3. Department of Basic and Clinical Research, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Armita Mahdavi-Gorabi

  4. Department of Medical Emergencies, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

    Hamid Asayesh

  5. Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Morteza Mansourian

  6. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Noroozi

  7. Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

    Mostafa Qorbani

  8. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mostafa Qorbani

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  1. Nazli Namazi
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  2. Shirin Djalalinia
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  3. Armita Mahdavi-Gorabi
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  4. Hamid Asayesh
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  5. Morteza Mansourian
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Correspondence to Mostafa Qorbani.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Namazi, N., Djalalinia, S., Mahdavi-Gorabi, A. et al. Association of wrist circumference with cardio-metabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eat Weight Disord 25, 151–161 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0534-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0534-x

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