Determining a global mid-upper arm circumference cut-off to assess underweight in adults (men and non-pregnant women).

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine if a global mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) cut-off can be established to classify underweight in adults (men and non-pregnant women).

Design

We conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA) to explore the sensitivity (SENS) and specificity (SPEC) of various MUAC cut-offs for identifying underweight among adults (defined as BMI < 18·5 kg/m2). Measures of diagnostic accuracy were determined every 0·5 cm across MUAC values from 19·0 to 26·5 cm. A bivariate random effects model was used to jointly estimate SENS and SPEC while accounting for heterogeneity between studies. Various subgroup analyses were performed.

Setting

Twenty datasets from Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, North America and South America were included.

Par

SUBMITTER: Tang AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10200499 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature