Optimal waist circumference for prediction of metabolic syndrome in Young Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The International Diabetes Federation consensus proposed an ethnically specific criteria of waist circumference (WC) for central obesity, but, the nationwide definition is still debated in Korea. For the detection of the optimal WC cutoff value, the nonadipose components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) were defined by modification of revised 2003 Rotterdam consensus as having two or more risk factors such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia without consideration of abdominal obesity. By using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, cutoff points of WC and visceral fat area (VFA) for prediction of MS were 80cm and 53.1cm 2. WC cutoff points corresponding to VFA 53.1and 100cm 2 were 73.3 and 77.8cm. The sensitivity and specificity of currently used value of WC 88cm were 41.9 and 91.5%, suggesting that it could be too high in Korean population. Central obesity defined as WC 80cm was significantly associated with nonadipose components of MS after adjustment for age, BMI, cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting insulin, and free testosterone levels. Central obesity with WC of 80cm predicted the presence of nonadipose MS (odds ratio 16.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5-42.6). It was also significant (odds ratio 14.7; 95% CI 3.4-64.3) when we applied the WC value of 70cm instead of 80cm. In conclusion, WC of 80 and 70cm could be appropriate cutoff points to identify the MS and visceral adiposity in Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), respectively. Therefore, PCOS women with a WC over 70cm should be closely monitored for the development of MS.