Gender Difference in the Contribution of Obesity on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in a Rural Area, Korea

Abstract

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) is an important prognostic marker for cardiovascular events. Age, hypertension and obesity is well known factors for LVH. This study is to evaluate the gender difference in the relationship of visceral obesity and the echocardiographic left ventricular in a community based cardiovascular disease cohort. Methods: For 540 out of 632 subjects participated in health survey in YangPyeong county in Korea, echocardiographic LV mass, body mass index(BMI) and waist circumference(WC) were measured. Cut-off values for LVH and high BMI were 52.0g/m2.7 and 25kg/m2, respectively. Cut-off values for high WC were 80cm for women and 90cm for men. Results: Mean age was 59.4 ± 12.3 and proportion of female was 321(59.4%). LVMI is increasing with age in female. Relative wall thickness(RWT) is increased with age in both gender. By multiple logistic analysis by a model including age, hypertension, high BMI or high WC, OR for LVH were 0.42, 3.14, and 2.15 for age below 55, hypertension, and high BMI, respectively in male subjects. Interestingly, in female, OR for LVH were 0.44, 1.07(0.65-1.77, p=NS), and 3.09 for age below 55, HTN, and high WC, respectively. Conclusion: The importance of obesity as a risk factor for LVH is comparable to hypertension in male subjects. But in female, visceral obesity is much stronger contributor to LVH than hypertension.