Weight-Adjusted Waist Index Predicts CV Risk and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes: Study
A new study published in the Nutritional Journal showed that a greater weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) is substantially related with a higher likelihood of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), congestive heart failure, and overall mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The necessity for precise anthropometric indicators of cardiometabolic health is highlighted by the substantial correlation between type 2 diabetes mellitus and increased cardiovascular risk. A new metric that reflects central adiposity regardless of body weight is the weight-adjusted waist index. In those with type 2 diabetes, assessing the correlations and predictive value of WWI for cardiovascular events may enhance risk assessment and early preventative measures. Thus, this study looked at the relationship between cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes and the WWI.
In this study cox proportional hazards regression methods are used to assess how World War I affected cardiovascular events. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) and smooth curve fitting (SCF) were used to investigate nonlinear relationships, and subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the accuracy of these results.
Major adverse cardiovascular events, congestive heart failure (CHF), total mortality (TM), and composite cardiovascular outcomes (MSD), which include myocardial infarction, stroke, and any death, were all significantly increased in WWI.
A 1 standard deviation (SD) increase during World War I was associated with a 7% increased risk of MACEs (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.13), a 9% increased risk of MSD (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13), a 20% increased risk of CHF (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.30), and an 11% increase in TM (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.17).
A nonlinear relationship between WWI and the risks of TM and CHF was found using RCS and SCF analysis. Subgroup studies showed that among individuals with diabetes for less than 10 years, WWI was a more reliable predictor of CHF risk. Sensitivity analysis supported these findings' dependability. The accuracy of these results increased when WWI was incorporated into traditional prediction models.
Overall, this study demonstrates a strong link between WWI and TM in T2DM patients as well as potential unfavourable cardiovascular outcomes. WWI has shown itself to be a reliable predictor of these outcomes, which offers crucial data for cardiovascular risk assessment that might guide public health campaigns meant to enhance targeted therapies and T2DM patient care.
Source:
Liu, M., Pei, J., Zeng, C., Xin, Y., Tang, P., & Hu, X. (2025). Associations and predictive value of weight-adjusted waist index for cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes: evidence from the ACCORD study. Nutrition Journal, 24(1), 184. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01251-0
