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Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) combined with adjuvant chemotherapy on myelosuppression for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods: Literature searches in both international (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) and Chinese (China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted from inception until October 10, 2022. We included RCTs of patients who received CHM combined with chemotherapy, including FOLFOX, XELOX, FOLFIRI, and other relevant regimens in the CHM treatment group. The outcomes included the incidence of myelosuppression, leukopenia, hemoglobin reduction, and thrombocytopenia. Two reviewers independently screened the databases, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias and credibility of evidence. RevMan 5.4.1 software and STATA 14.0 were used to perform the NMA. Results: A total of 31 RCTs were included, published from 2008 to 2021 in Chinese. Among these, 2,314 participants comparing the following 9 CHMs were identified: Shengbai Recipe (SBR), Bazhen Decoction (BZD), Jianpi Jiedu Recipe (JJR), Jianpi Recipe (JR), Compound Cantharis Capsule (CCC), Zaofan Pill (ZFP), Guilu Erxian Gel (GL), Buzhong Tiaogan Decoction (BZ), and Qiamagu Capsule (QM). The results of NMA found an indirect comparison. Based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), the ZFP+ chemotherapy group had the lowest incidence of myelosuppression, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.08 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.76], whereas the GL+ chemotherapy group had the lowest incidence of leukopenia, hemoglobin reduction, and thrombocytopenia, with an OR of 5.25 (95% CI: 2.41, 11.43), 4.66 (95% CI: 2.23, 9.72), and 0.27 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.54), respectively. Moreover, BZD + chemotherapy could alleviate leukopenia, hemoglobin reduction, and thrombocytopenia (P<0.01). Pairwise comparison showed that there was no difference in the efficacy among the 8 CHMs+ chemotherapy group. The comparison and adjustment funnel plot indicated that small-study effect had no impact on these outcomes. Conclusions: This NMA provided evidence to support that patients with CRC benefit from receiving different combination of CHM chemotherapies. Among these, GL plus chemotherapy and BZD plus chemotherapy were the more effective for myelosuppression in patients; however, as the qualtiy of evidence is insufficient, further research is needed. (PROSPERO, No. CRD42022369025) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to apply a newly developed semi-automatic phantom-less QCT (PL-QCT) to measure proximal humerus trabecular bone density based on chest CT and verify its accuracy and precision. Methods: Subcutaneous fat of the shoulder joint and trapezius muscle were used as calibration references for PL-QCT BMD measurement. A self-developed algorithm based on a convolution map was utilized in PL-QCT for semi-automatic BMD measurements. CT values of ROIs used in PL-QCT measurements were directly used for phantom-based quantitative computed tomography (PB-QCT) BMD assessment. The study included 376 proximal humerus for comparison between PB-QCT and PL-QCT. Two sports medicine doctors measured the proximal humerus with PB-QCT and PL-QCT without knowing each other's results. Among them, 100 proximal humerus were included in the inter-operative and intra-operative BMD measurements for evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of PL-QCT and PB-QCT. Results: A total of 188 patients with 376 shoulders were involved in this study. The consistency analysis indicated that the average bias between proximal humerus BMDs measured by PB-QCT and PL-QCT was 1.0 mg/cc (agreement range – 9.4 to 11.4; P > 0.05, no significant difference). Regression analysis between PB-QCT and PL-QCT indicated a good correlation (R-square is 0.9723). Short-term repeatability and reproducibility of proximal humerus BMDs measured by PB-QCT (CV: 5.10% and 3.41%) were slightly better than those of PL-QCT (CV: 6.17% and 5.64%). Conclusions: We evaluated the bone quality of the proximal humeral using chest CT through the semi-automatic PL-QCT system for the first time. Comparison between it and PB-QCT indicated that it could be a reliable shoulder BMD assessment tool with acceptable accuracy and precision. Summary: This study developed and verify a semi-automatic PL-QCT for assessment of proximal humeral bone density based on CT to assist in the assessment of proximal humeral osteoporosis and development of individualized treatment plans for shoulders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prolonged β-lactam antibiotics infusion has been an attractive strategy in severe infections, because it provides a more stable free drug concentration and a longer duration of free drug concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). We conducted this systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) to compare the effects of prolonged vs intermittent intravenous infusion of β-lactam antibiotics for patients with sepsis. Methods: This study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO database (CRD42023447692). We searched EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies (up to July 6, 2023). Any study meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria would be included. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days. Two authors independently screened studies and extracted data. When the I2 values < 50%, we used fixed-effect mode. Otherwise, the random effects model was used. TSA was also performed to search for the possibility of false-positive (type I error) or false-negative (type II error) results. Results: A total of 4355 studies were identified in our search, and nine studies with 1762 patients were finally included. The pooled results showed that, compared with intermittent intravenous infusion, prolonged intravenous infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics resulted in a significant reduction in all-cause mortality within 30 days in patients with sepsis (RR 0.82; 95%CI 0.70–0.96; P = 0.01; TSA-adjusted CI 0.62–1.07). However, the certainty of the evidence was rated as low, and the TSA results suggested that more studies were needed to further confirm our conclusion. In addition, it is associated with lower hospital mortality, ICU mortality, and higher clinical cure. No significant reduction in 90-day mortality or the emergence of resistance bacteria was detected between the two groups. Conclusions: Prolonged intravenous infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics in patients with sepsis was associated with short-term survival benefits and higher clinical cure. However, the TSA results suggested that more studies are needed to reach a definitive conclusion. In terms of long-term survival benefits, we could not show an improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the predictive value of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging structural and diffusion indices of the spinal trigeminal tract (SpTV) on the results of microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with TN and treated with MVD in the Jining First People's Hospital between January 2020 and January 2021. The patients were divided into good and poor results groups according to postoperative pain relief. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore independent risk factors for poor results of MVD, and their predictive value was examined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: A total of 97 TN cases were included, 24 cases with a poor result and 73 with a good result. They were comparable in demographic characteristics. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was lower (P < 0.001), and radial diffusivity (RD) was higher (P < 0.001) in the poor result group compared to the good result group. Patients in the good result group showed a higher proportion of grade 3 neurovascular contact (NVC) (39.7% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.001) and a lower RD (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that the RD of SpTV (OR = 0.000016, 95% CI: 0.000–0.004, P < 0.001) and NVC (OR = 8.07, 95% CI: 1.67–38.93, P = 0.009) were independently associated with poor results. The area under the curve (AUC) of RD and NVC were 0.848 and 0.710, and their combination achieved an AUC of 0.880. Conclusion: NVC and RD of SpTV are independent risk factors for poor results after MVD surgery, and combining the NVC and RD might achieve relatively high predictive value for poor results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and relevant factors of taurodontism in North China. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of 1025 patients (496 male and 529 female) aged between 10 and 59 years. The crown-body/root (CB/R) ratios of the maxillary and mandibular molars were measured. The prevalence of hypotaurodontism, mesotaurodontism, and hypertaurodontism was then calculated and the incidence of taurodontism along with its relevant factors, was evaluated. Results: The overall rate of taurodontism in North China was as high as 78.9%. If the third molars (opsigenes) were excluded, which have a big morphological variation from each other, the rate was 52.4%. The mean CB/R ratio of taurodontism differs from tooth position: maxillary mandibular third molars > maxillary third molars > maxillary second molars > maxillary first molars > mandibular second molars > mandibular first molars (P < 0.05). In addition, the 1025 patients were divided into different age groups, and it was found that the mean CB/R ratio decreased with age (P < 0.05). Moreover, the CB/R ratio of the mandibular first and second molars in female patients was higher than males (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that taurodontism is widely prevalent in North China. The incidence of taurodontism increases the closer the tooth is to the back end of the dental arch, and quite a few of the maxillary and mandibular third molars teeth have tapered roots. And the taurodontism is decreased by age, as there were more affected female than male patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Hemodynamics may play an important role in border zone infarct (BZI), but macroscopic and microscopic hemodynamics of BZI still remain unclear. This study aims to investigate arterial flow and tissue perfusion differences between BZI and non-BZI in patients with unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarcts. Methods: Subacute ischemic stroke patients with unilateral infarcts at MCA territory were included. Imaging protocols included 4D flow, ASL (arterial spin labeling), and routine clinical brain MRI scan. A total of 56 patients (56.1 ± 11.9 years, 39 male) were included and divided as BZI (n = 26) and non-BZI (n = 30). BZI was further subdivided as cortical BZI (CBZI, n = 9), internal BZI (IBZI, n = 11), and mixed BZI (n = 6). Average blood flow (Flowavg), regional average cerebral blood flow (CBFavg) were compared between infarct and contralateral sides to test hemodynamic lateralization. Flow-index and CBF-index (infarct sides/contralateral sides) were compared between groups and subgroups. Results: Flowavg and CBFavg showed significant lateralization in both BZI and non-BZI as well as CBZI and IBZI. Flow-index (0.51 ± 0.37 vs. 0.87 ± 0.36, p < 0.01) and CBF-index (0.70 ± 0.21 vs. 0.90 ± 0.19, p < 0.01) were significantly different between BZI and non-BZI but were not significantly different between CBZI and IBZI. Conclusion: In summary, hemodynamic lateralization can occur in subacute stroke patients with BZI and non-BZI and the one that occurs in BZI tends to be more severe in view of arterial flow and tissue perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Clinical response to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) varies considerably among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the current study was to examine the potential association between the genetic variants in GLP1R gene polymorphism with the therapeutic efficacy as well as gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of GLP1RAs in Chinese T2DM patients. Methods: Adult T2DM patients were eligible to participate in this prospective cohort study. Subjects received 12-week treatment with either exenatide (20 μg/day) or liraglutide (1.2 mg/day). GLP1R rs10305420 and rs3765467 genotyping was performed using the Sanger sequencing method. Clinical response to GLP1RAs was assessed in the patients who completed the 12-week treatment and defined by the change of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and body mass index (BMI) from the baseline. Results: A total of 176 subjects (mean age 50.9 ± 12.7 years, 111 men) were enrolled. The planned 12-week treatment was completed by 156 patients. HbA1c reduction was significantly larger in subjects carrying the rs3765467 GG genotype vs. GA + AA genotypes (1.7% ± 2.4% vs. 0.8% ± 1.8%; P = 0.002). Similarly, the 7.0% target HbA1c attainment rate was significantly higher in subjects carrying the rs3765467 GG genotype vs. GA + AA genotypes (50.9% vs. 23.8%; P = 0.002). Gastrointestinal ADRs did not differ significantly among different genotypes. Conclusion: GLP1R rs3765467 polymorphism is associated with therapeutic response to GLP1RAs in Chinese T2DM patients. HbA1c reduction is more pronounced in subjects with the GG genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the diagnostic value of American College of Radiology Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound-Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR-CEUS-LI-RADS) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. Methods: A total of 205 patients at high risk of HCC with solitary hepatic nodule were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed. All patients were over 18 years old and had a single lesion with a diameter < 50 mm. Lesions were categorized according to size and contrast enhancement patterns in the arterial, portal venous and late phases. Diagnostic efficacy of CEUS LI-RADS for HCC, and the rate of non-HCC malignancies in the LR-M class were compared between patients with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. Results: Of all 205 nodules (median nodule size was 34 mm), 142 (69.3%) were HCC. Of the 127 (61.9%) LR-5 category nodules, 95.8% (92/96) nodules were corresponded to HCC in cirrhosis, while 61.3% (19/31) nodules were corresponded to HCC in chronic hepatitis B (P = 0.000). Positive predictive value (PPV) of LR-5 category for HCC was 95.8% in cirrhosis and 61.3% in chronic hepatitis B (P = 0.000). More category of LR-4 nodules were proved to be HCC in patients with cirrhosis than chronic hepatitis B (80.0% vs 8.3%, P = 0.000). Of 41 LR-M category nodules, more non-HCC malignancies were found in chronic hepatitis B (76.0%) than that in cirrhosis (25.0%, P = 0.001). Conclusions: The LR-5 category is highly specific for the diagnosis of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. However, LR-5 category nodules require further CT or MRI examination or histological confirmation in patients with chronic hepatitis B for its unsatisfactory PPV for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Multislice spiral CT (MSCT) was used to investigate the anatomical characteristics of sternal development, and to provide anatomical basis for sternal puncture in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the thoracic MSCT data of 600 children who received thoracic MSCT from January to June 2020 with their age ranging from 1 month to 19 years. The distribution of sternal ossification centers and adjacent tissues and organs was observed. Subcutaneous soft tissue thickness and the distance between the skin and the posterior margin of the sternum were measured in the central areas of sternal manubrium and mesosternum (segments I and II), and the correlation between the two was calculated using linear correlation. Results: A total of 600 patients were enrolled, the mean age was 9.87 years and the standard deviation was 8.28 years. The sternal manubrium and ossification centers at the I and II segments of the mesosternum were visible in all cases (100%). There was no ossification in segment III of the mesosternum in 15 cases (2.5%), including 12 cases (80%) adjacent to the posterior pericardium and 7 cases (46.7%) of lung tissue. There were 274 cases (45.7%) of segment IV without ossification, including 204 cases (74.5%) of adjacent pericardium and 95 cases (32.8%) of lung tissue. The xiphoid process was not ossified in 258 cases (43%), including 190 cases (73.6%) adjacent to the pericardium and 97 cases (37.6%) adjacent to the lung tissue. Correspondingly, the thickness of subcutaneous soft tissue of the sternal manubrium and the central region of the I and II segments of the mesosternum had a low positive correlation with age (P < 0.001), the distance between the skin and the posterior margin of the sternum showed a moderate positive correlation with age (P < 0.001), and the distance between the skin and the posterior margin of the sternum showed a high positive correlation with the thickness of subcutaneous soft tissue (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Nonossification of the sternal ossification center usually occurs below segment III of the mesosternum and is usually adjacent to heart and lung tissue. Pediatric sternal puncture should be performed at the sternal manubrium and the mesosternum of segments I and II. However, attention should be paid to the space between multiple ossification centers. The thickness of subcutaneous soft tissue is a critical factor that determines the depth of the puncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Community Healthy Start program evaluations are often limited by a lack of robust data and rigorous study designs. This study describes an enhanced methodological approach using local program data linked with existing population-level datasets for external comparison to evaluate the Enterprise Community Healthy Start (ECHS) program in two rural Georgia counties and presents results from the evaluation. Methods: ECHS program data were linked to birth records and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for 869 women who delivered a live birth in Burke and McDuffie counties from 2010 to 2011. Multivariate logistic regressions with and without propensity score methods modeled the association between ECHS participation and maternal health indicators and pregnancy outcomes. Results: 107 ECHS participants and 726 non-participants responded to PRAMS and met eligibility criteria. Compared with non-participants, ECHS participants were younger, completed fewer years of education, and were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black, unmarried, insured with Medicaid, participating in WIC, and having an unintended pregnancy. Models with and without propensity score weighting derived similar results: there was a positive association between ECHS participation and receiving adequate or adequate plus prenatal care (p < 0.05); no statistically significant associations were observed between ECHS participation and any other health behaviors, health care access and utilization measures or pregnancy outcomes. Discussion: Rigorous evaluation of a local Healthy Start program using linked PRAMS and birth records with a population-based external comparison group and propensity score methods is an enhanced and feasible approach that can be applied in other local and state jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Xijiao Dihuang Decoction (犀角地黄汤, XJDHD) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) as well as the underlying mechanism of action, and to clarify the key herbs and components of XJDHD. Methods: LPS/D-galactosamine (D-GalN) or TNF-α/D-GalN were intraperitoneally injected into C57BL/6J mice to induce ALF. Simultaneously, XJDHD or its individual herbs and components were orally administered. Survival rates, transaminase levels in serum, and hepatic histology were examined to evaluate the effects of XJDHD. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction were additionally performed to expound the mechanism underlying the anti-apoptotic activity of XJDHD. Results: Oral administration of XJDHD protected mice from lethal liver failure induced by LPS and TNF-α, with notable amelioration of liver injury in histology and a significant decrease in transaminase levels in serum. XJDHD significantly inhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes and enhanced expression of the antiapoptosis genes, c-Flip, Iap1, Gadd45b and A20. In addition, Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. was identified as the key herb of XJDHD and galactose as the effective component of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. that protects against ALF. Conclusions: XJDHD inhibits TNF-α-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes by promoting the expression of nuclear factor κ B-regulated anti-apoptotic genes. Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. is the effective herb of XJDHD and galactose is an active component in this protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the preventive effect of salvianolate (Sal B) on glucose metabolism disorders of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced cirrhotic rats.Methods: Fifty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10) and a cirrhotic group (n=45) according to a random number table. Liver cirrhosis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of DMN. The cirrhotic rats were divided into model, Sal B and metformin groups (n=15), respectively. Rats in the model group were given saline, two treatment groups were given Sal B (50 mg/kg), metformin (150 mg/kg) respectively for 28 consecutive days, while rats in the control group were injected 0.9% saline with same volume of vehicle. Body weight was measured everyday. Insulin sensitivity was determined by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Organ index, glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), hepatic glycogen, hydroxyproline (HYP) and liver function were detected at the end of the treatment. Area under the curve (AUC) for OGTT was calculated. Liver and pancreas histology were determined by histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE), Sirius Red staining and Masson’s trichrome staining, respectively. Hepatic expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen (Col I) were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.Results: Compared with the model group, Sal B significantly increased body and liver weight, liver-body ratio, glucose infusion rate (GIR), FPG, FINS levels and hepatic glycogen at the end of administration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, Sal B significantly decreased AUC for OGTT, spleen weight, spleen-body ratio, aminotransferase and HYP level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Sal B was also effective in alleviating necrosis of liver tissue, suppressing fibrosis progression and inhibiting the expression of α-SMA and Col I in liver. Compared with the metformin group, Sal B had advantages in ameliorating FPG, hepatic glycogen, spleen weight, organ index, liver function and cirrhosis (P<0.05). Metformin increased insulin sensitivity more potently than Sal B (P<0.05).Conclusions: Sal B could improve glucose metabolism in cirrhotic rats by protecting hepatic glycogen reserve, increasing insulin sensitivity, and alleviating pancreatic morphology abnormalities. Sal B was clinically potential in preventing glucose metabolism anomalies accompanied with cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage aggravates perihematomal edema, and edema volume predicts prognosis independently. But the BBB permeability at the late stage of acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients is uncertain. We aimed to assess the BBB permeability of spontaneous basal ganglia ICH using computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) and investigates its relationship with hematoma and perihematomal edema volume. Methods: We performed CTP on 54 consecutive ICH patients within 24 to 72 h after symptom onset. Permeability-surface area product (PS) derived from CTP imaging was measured in hematoma, 'high-PS spot,' perihematoma, normal-appearing, hemispheric, and contralateral regions. Hematoma and edema volumes were calculated from non-contrast CT. Results: 'High-PS spot' and perihematoma regions had higher PS than the contralateral regions ( p < 0.001). Hematoma PS was lower than that in the contralateral regions ( p < 0.001). Perihematoma PS of the large-hematoma group was higher than that of the small-hematoma group ( p = 0.011). Perihematomal edema volume correlated positively with hematoma volume ( β = 0.864, p < 0.001) and perihematoma PS ( β = 0.478, p < 0.001). Perihematoma PS correlated positively with hematoma volume ( β = 0.373, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Locally elevated perihematoma PS was found in most spontaneous basal ganglia ICH patients within 24 to 72 h after symptom onset. Perihematoma PS was higher in larger hematomas and was associated with larger edema volume. At this period, BBB leakage is likely to be an important factor in edema formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Significant stenosis or occlusion in carotid arteries may lead to diffuse wall thickening (DWT) in the arterial wall of downstream. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) steno-occlusive disease and DWT in ipsilateral petrous ICA. Methods: Symptomatic patients with atherosclerotic stenosis (>0%) in proximal ICA were recruited and underwent carotid MR vessel wall imaging. The 3D motion sensitized-driven equilibrium prepared rapid gradient-echo (3D-MERGE) was acquired for characterizing the wall thickness and longitudinal extent of the lesions in petrous ICA and the distance from proximal lesion to the petrous ICA. The stenosis degree in proximal ICA was measured on the time-of-flight (TOF) images. Results: In total, 166 carotid arteries from 125 patients (mean age 61.0 ± 10.5 years, 99 males) were eligible for final analysis and 64 showed DWT in petrous ICAs. The prevalence of severe DWT in petrous ICA was 1.4%, 5.3%, 5.9%, and 80.4% in ipsilateral proximal ICAs with stenosis category of 1%-49%, 50%-69%, 70%-99%, and total occlusion, respectively. Proximal ICA stenosis was significantly correlated with the wall thickness in petrous ICA ( r = 0.767, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that proximal ICA stenosis was independently associated with DWT in ipsilateral petrous ICA (odds ratio (OR) = 2.459, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.896-3.189, P < 0.001]. Conclusion: Proximal ICA steno-occlusive disease is independently associated with DWT in ipsilateral petrous ICA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide with a marked impact in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes risk. Aim of the study: To evaluate the anthropometric indices for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and determine the optimal cut-off values of waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and waist height ratio (WHtR) for MetS in Chinese adults aged 40 years and over. Methods: A sample of Chinese adults aged 40 years and over including 430 men and 638 women was investigated. Blood pressure, weight, height, and WC were measured; HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), Triglyceride (TG), and plasma glucose were examined. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the optimal cut-off point of WC, BMI, and WHtR for MetS. Results: According to the ROC curve analysis, the optimal cut-off point for WC was found to be 84.0 cm in men and 80.0 cm in women; for BMI, it was 26.0 in men and 25.0 in women; and for WHtR, it was 0.5 in both men and women. WHtR has the highest predictive value for fast plasma glucose in women, while BMI has the better prediction of dyslipidemia in men. Conclusions: Anthropometric indices (WC, BMI, and WHtR) are useful screening tools for obesity, MetS, and CVD risk factors. BMI may be a better indicator than the others for screening obesity, dyslipidemia, and other risk components in Chinese men aged 40 years and over, while WHtR may be better for Chinese women, especially among those aged 70 years and over. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]