Distribution of Body Mass Index in Indian patients with coronary artery disease.

: To study the distribution of overweight and obesity among Indian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), a cross-sectional analysis of computerized data on patients, proved to have CAD by selected coronary arteriography, was carried out. There were 1078 patients, with 1052 males (mean age +/- SD:50 +/- 7.5) and 26 females (mean age +/- SD:47.7 +/- 8). Of these, 22 percent had single vessel disease, 38 percent two vessel and 40 percent three vessel disease. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from the height and weight data. BMI over 27 kg/m2 was defined as overweight and that over 30 kg/m2 as obese. Data analysis revealed that only 8.2 percent of patients with CAD were overweight, of whom 2.2 percent were obese. CAD was seen in Indians with BMI from 15 kg/m2 onwards. The BMI in the risk factor groups of smoking, diabetes and hypertension was not different when compared to those without the risk factors. However, the BMI was higher in those with a positive family history (p < 0.01). BMI was higher in the businessmen and executives but did not qualify for overweight or obesity group. BMI did not correlate with the various lipid fractions studied. It is concluded, that in Indian patients, angiographically proved coronary artery disease can be seen with low BMI.