Seropositivity and history of hospitalization for dengue in relation to anthropometric indices among Colombian children and adults

The role of anthropometric status on dengue is uncertain. We investigated the relations between anthropometric characteristics (height, body mass index, and waist circumference [WC]) and two dengue outcomes, seropositivity and hospitalization, in a cross-sectional study of 2038 children (ages 2-15 y) and 408 adults (ages 18-72 y) from Bucaramanga, Colombia. Anthropometric variables were standardized by age and sex in children. Seropositivity was determined through IgG antibodies; past hospitalization for dengue was self-reported. We modeled the prevalence of each outcome by levels of anthropometric exposures using generalized estimating equations with restricted cubic splines. In children, dengue seropositivity was 60.8%; 9.9% of seropositive children reported prior hospitalization for dengue. WC was positively associated with seropositivity in girls (90th vs. 10th percentile adjusted prevalence ratio [APR]=1.19; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.36). Among adults, dengue seropositivity was 95.1%; 8.1% of seropositive adults reported past hospitalization. Height was inversely associated with seropositivity (APR=0.90; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.99) and with hospitalization history (APR=0.19; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.79). WC was inversely associated with seropositivity (APR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.98). We conclude that anthropometry correlates with a history of dengue, but could not determine causation. Prospective studies are warranted to enhance causal inference on these questions.