[Predictive estimation of the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Dysfunctional Adiposity Index (DAI) for metabolic...

To evaluate metabolic syndrome using three methods proposed by  recognizedinternational institutions, and the visceral adiposity (VAI) and dysfunctional adiposity (DAI) indices for prediction and prevalence estimation in working populations.

Cross-sectional study in workers from different Spanish autonomous communities who underwent a health examination between January 2019 and September 2021 at four occupational risk prevention services. Metabolic syndrome was evaluated according to criteria from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP-III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and  the Joint Interim Statement (JIS). VAI and DAI values were calculated using their specific formulas and their predictive capacity was measured using ROC curves. The SPSS 27.0 program was used, with statistical significance level set at p< 0.05.

418 343 workers were included, mostly men (58.8%), average age between 30 and 49 years (58.0%), social class III, mostly manual workers (75.9%) and nonsmokers (66.9%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome differed  depending on the criteria used, being higher in men with IDF and JIS, and in women with ATPIII. For the three definitions of metabolic syndrome, the values of the area under the curve were > 0.8 (>80%). The highest VAI was obtained with the JIS, and the highest DAI with the ATPIII. The highest confidence index was for ATPIII and JIS.

The VAI and ICD adiposity indices show high predictive capacity in metabolic syndrome with all three criteria used and can be useful for prevention activities in occupational health.