BODY MASS INDEX, WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE AND BODY FAT CONTENT ASPROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY AT SMS MEDICAL COLLEGE JAIPUR

Background: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), yet the prognostic role of obesity indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat content (BFC) remains debated. This study aims to compare BMI, WC, and BFC as prognostic factors in AMI patients to determine which parameter is the best predictor of outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur, India, from 2023 to 2024. A total of 400 AMI patients were included. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, BMI, WC, and BFC were collected. Patients were followed up for six months to assess outcomes, including mortality, recurrent MI, heart failure, and hospital readmissions. Patients were classied based on BMI (underweight, normal, overweight, and obese), WC, and BFC according to WHO guidelines for the Asian population. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.2 ± 11.01 years, with 75.5% males. At six months, 9.5% of patients had died, 17% had recurrent MI, 13.5% had heart failure, and 7.5% had arrhythmias. BMI and BFC showed a strong correlation, while WC was not as consistent in identifying obesity. Patients with higher BMI and BFC had lower mortality, reecting the obesity paradox. Conclusion: BMI and BFC appear to correlate well in assessing obesity in AMI patients, while WC alone may underestimate risk. The obesity paradox was observed, with obese patients showing better outcomes than their normal-weight counterparts. A combination of BMI, WC, and BFC may provide a more accurate risk assessment for ACS prognosis.