Evaluating weight-adjusted waist index as a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional...

The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) shows a significant positive association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk, suggesting a potential role in risk stratification and early detection.

This study examined the relationship between WWI and COPD, with a focus on its clinical implications for COPD risk assessment and management.

Data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018 were used. We included individuals aged 40 years and older. Weighted logistic regression was used to examine the association between WWI and COPD. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed to assess consistency across demographic and lifestyle factors. A nonlinear regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between WWI and COPD, while receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the ability of WWI to identify individuals at risk.

Among 14,144 participants, WWI was higher in the COPD group than in the control group (p < 0.001). In fully adjusted models, WWI was positively associated with COPD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.34-1.68). In stratified analyses, participants in the highest WWI quartile had a greater risk of COPD than those in the lowest quartile (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.62-2.80). Subgroup analyses showed a consistent positive association between WWI and COPD across sex, age, and smoking status. The nonlinear model indicated that the risk of COPD increased significantly beyond a certain WWI value. The ROC curve analysis confirmed the utility of WWI as a predictor (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.625, 95% CI: 0.609-0.642). These findings highlight the need to incorporate WWI into routine COPD risk assessment.

This study found a significant and nonlinear positive association between WWI, a marker of central obesity, and COPD risk. Weight-adjusted waist index may be an independent predictor of COPD risk and provide insight into the contribution of obesity to the disease. Given the increasing burden of COPD, integrating WWI into clinical practice could enhance preventive efforts and personalized interventions.