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01-06-2016 | Original Article

Abdominal fat distribution and carotid atherosclerosis in a general population: a semi-automated method using magnetic resonance imaging

Authors: Amir Reza Radmard, Hossein Poustchi, Leila Ansari, Faezeh Khorasanizadeh, Ali Yoonessi, Amir Pejman Hashemi Taheri, Mohammad Sadegh Rahmanian, Elham Jafari, Reza Malekzadeh, Shahin Merat

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Available evidence suggests functional differences in visceral and subcutaneous fat. We investigated the association between quantitative measures of central adiposity with indicators of carotid atherosclerosis including intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque in a general population using a semi-automated method on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study 200 subjects (52 % female), aged 50–77 years, were randomly selected from Golestan Cohort Study. Participants underwent ultrasound examination of carotid arteries and abdominal MRI. Segmentation and calculation of visceral (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were performed on three levels using semi-automated software. Various conventional anthropometric indices were also measured.

Results

Among 191 enrolled subjects, 77 (40 %) participants had IMT ≥0.8 mm. Carotid plaques were detected in 86 (44 %) subjects. In separate multivariate analysis models, unlike SFA and other anthropometric indices, the last tertile of VFA values was associated with at least threefold excess risk for IMT ≥0.8 mm (OR 3.8, 95 % CI 1.36–6.94, p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between mean values of categorized obesity indices in subjects with and without plaque, while participants in the highest tertile of VFA values were demonstrated to have higher risk of more than one plaque (OR 4.57, 95 % CI 1.03–20.11, p = 0.034).

Conclusions

A higher amount of visceral fat, measured by a semi-automated technique using MRI, is associated with increased IMT and having more than one carotid plaque in a general population, while subcutaneous fat measures are poor indicators for identifying carotid atherosclerosis.

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Title: Abdominal fat distribution and carotid atherosclerosis in a general population: a semi-automated method using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Amir Reza Radmard
Hossein Poustchi
Leila Ansari
Faezeh Khorasanizadeh
Ali Yoonessi
Amir Pejman Hashemi Taheri
Mohammad Sadegh Rahmanian
Elham Jafari
Reza Malekzadeh
Shahin Merat
Publication date: 01-06-2016
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-016-0540-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abdominal fat distribution and carotid atherosclerosis in a general population: a semi-automated method using magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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