Table 3.

Multivariate Cox-proportional hazards model (Breslow method for ties) showing a significantly increased mortality rate among individuals allocated to the fourth quartile of neck circumference compared with those in lower quartiles. In this model, increased age at baseline, poor physical activity and high fasting glucose were directly associated with mortality, while a high body mass index was inversely associated

Neck circumference	HR	95% CI	p value
Quartile 1 (25–34 cm)	Referent category
Quartile 2 (35–36 cm)	1.24	0.83–1.86	0.297
Quartile 3 (37–39 cm)	1.39	0.89–2.16	0.891
Quartile 4 (40–50 cm)	2.98	1.77–5.02	<0.001*
Age at baseline	1.06	1.04–1.07	<0.001*
Being female	1.20	0.83–1.74	0.325
Primary school education	1.17	0.81–1.70	0.409
Current smoker	0.69	0.28–1.70	0.420
Body mass index ≥30 kg/m2	0.58	0.39–0.84	0.005*
Poor physical activity	2.34	1.63–3.35	<0.001*
Poor diet	0.96	0.56–1.65	0.895
Blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg	1.13	0.85–1.50	0.395
Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL	1.92	1.45–2.54	<0.001*
Total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL	0.59	0.35–1.01	0.055

*Statistically significant result.