Development of Data Mining Algorithms for Identifying the Best Anthropometric Predictors for Cardiovascular Disease: MASHAD Cohort Study

Many studies have been published to assess the best anthropometric measurements associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but controversies still exist. Investigating the association between CVDs and anthropometric measurements among Iranian adults. For a total population of 9354 aged 35 to 65, a prospective study was designed. Anthropometric measurements including ABSI (A Body Shape Index), Body Adiposity Index (BAI), Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR), Body Round Index (BRI), HC (Hip Circumference), Demispan, Mid-arm circumference (MAC), Waist-to-hip (WH) and Waist Circumference (WC) were completed. The association between these parameters and CVDs were assessed through logistic regression (LR) and decision tree (DT) models. During the 6-year follow-up, 4596 individuals (49%) developed CVDs. According to the LR, age, BAI, BMI, Demispan, and BRI, in male and age, WC, BMI, and BAI in female had a significant association with CVDs (p-value < 0.03). Age and BRI for male and age and BMI for female represent the most appropriate estimates for CVDs (OR: 1.07, (95% CI: 1.06, 1.08), 1.36 (1.22, 1.51), 1.14 (1.13, 1.15), and 1.05 (1.02, 1.07), respectively). In the DT for male, those with BRI ≥ 3.87, age ≥ 46 years, and BMI ≥ 35.97 had the highest risk to develop CVDs (90%). Also, in the DT for female, those with age ≥ 54 years and WC ≥ 84 had the highest risk to develop CVDs (71%). BRI and age in male and age and BMI in female had the greatest association with CVDs. Also, BRI and BMI was the strongest indices for this prediction.