Neck Circumference is Associated with Incidence of Angina Pectoris in a Large Community-Based Population

Background: Previous studies have found that neck circumference (NC) is associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. This study investigated the relationship between NC and the incidence of angina pectoris (AP).

Methods: Altogether 4821 participants (2212 males and 2609 females) from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) with a mean age of 63.4±11.0 years were selected in this study. Anthropometric measurements, including NC, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and body mass index (BMI), were collected at baseline. AP was defined as the first occurrence between baseline and 2011. Linear and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between NC and incidences of AP.

Results: There was a significant difference in NC between AP and controls in both male (41.1±3.1 cm vs 40.3±3.2 cm; p<0.001) and female (35.2±3.1 cm vs 34.9±2.9 cm; p=0.006). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that NC (every cm increase) was independently associated with the incidence of AP in both male (odds ratio [OR] 1.067; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.035-1.100; p<0.001) and female (OR 1.067; 95% CI 1.035-1.101; p<0.001).

Conclusion: NC was significantly associated with the incidence of AP in both male and female. The role of NC in the incidence of AP is worthy of further investigation.

Keywords: SHHS; angina pectoris; community-based population; neck circumference; obesity.