This paper evaluates neck circumference as a metabolic risk marker. Overweight/obese, nondiabetic Hispanics, 40–65 years old, who are free of major cardiovascular diseases, were recruited for the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study (SOALS). Baseline exams were completed by 1,206 participants. Partial correlation coefficients (r) and logistic models adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, and physical activity were computed. Neck circumference was significantly correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.64), BMI (r = 0.66), and body fat % (r = 0.45). Neck circumference, highest (compared to lowest) tertile, had higher association with prediabetes: multivariable OR = 2.30 (95% CI: 1.71–3.06) compared to waist circumference OR = 1.97 (95% CI: 1.48–2.66) and other anthropometric measures. Neck circumference showed higher associations with HOMA, low HDL-C, and triglycerides, multivariable OR = 8.42 (95% CI: 5.43–13.06), 2.41 (95% CI: 1.80–3.21), and 1.52 (95% CI: 1.14–2.03), but weaker associations with hs-CRP and hypertension, OR = 3.61 (95% CI: 2.66–4.90) and OR = 2.58 (95% CI: 1.90–3.49), compared to waist circumference. AIC for model fit was generally similar for neck or waist circumference. Neck circumference showed similar or better associations with metabolic factors and is more practicable than waist circumference. Hence, neck circumference may be a better alternative to waist circumference.

There is no association between periodontitis and risk of prediabetes/diabetes in this longitudinal study.

Frequent regular use of over-the-counter mouthwash was associated with increased risk of developing pre-diabetes/diabetes in this population.

The effects of lipid-lowering agents (LLA) on reducing systemic and oral inflammation have not been evaluated. Objective To assess the association of LLA use with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and oral inflammation. Design Cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from 1,300 overweight/obese participants aged 40–65 years, recruited for the ongoing San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study. Serum hs-CRP was measured by ELISA, gingival/periodontal inflammation was evaluated as bleeding upon probing (BOP), and LLA was self-reported. Separate logistic models were performed for systemic and oral inflammation. Results 24% participants reported history of dyslipidemia, of which, 50.3% self-reported LLA use. Sixty percent of the participants had elevated hs-CRP (>3 mg/dL) and 50% had high BOP (defined as at or above the median: 21%). After adjusting for age, gender, smoking, HDL-C, physical activity, diabetes, blood pressure medications, and percent body fat composition, LLA users had significantly lower odds of elevated hs-CRP compared to LLA non-users (OR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.39–0.85). After adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, educational level, mean plaque index, and percent body fat, LLA users had significantly lower odds of high BOP compared to LLA non-users (OR= 0.62; 95% CI: 0.42–0.91). Conclusions Lipid-lowering agents may reduce both systemic and oral inflammatory responses.