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Open Access 02-07-2022 | Obesity | Computed Tomography

Standardized measurement of abdominal muscle by computed tomography: association with cardiometabolic risk in the Framingham Heart Study

Authors: Andreas Kammerlander, Asya Lyass, Taylor F. Mahoney, Jana Taron, Parastou Eslami, Michael T. Lu, Michelle T. Long, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Joseph M. Massaro, Udo Hoffmann

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 10/2022

Abstract

Objectives

To provide a standard for total abdominal muscle mass (TAM) quantification on computed tomography (CT) and investigate its association with cardiovascular risk in a primary prevention setting.

Methods

We included 3016 Framingham Heart Study participants free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who underwent abdominal CT between 2002 and 2005. On a single CT slice at the level of L3/L4, we segmented (1) TAM-Area, (2) TAM-Index (= TAM-Area/height) and, (3) TAM-Fraction (= TAM-Area/total cross-sectional CT-area). We tested the association of these muscle mass measures with prevalent and incident cardiometabolic risk factors and incident CVD events during a follow-up of 11.0 ± 2.7 years.

Results

In this community-based sample (49% women, mean age: 50.0 ± 10.0 years), all muscle quantity measures were significantly associated with prevalent and incident cardiometabolic risk factors and CVD events. However, only TAM-Fraction remained significantly associated with key outcomes (e.g., adj. OR 0.68 [0.55, 0.84] and HR 0.73 [0.57, 0.92] for incident hypertension and CVD events, respectively) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and waist circumference. Moreover, only higher TAM-Fraction was associated with a lower risk (e.g., adj. OR: 0.56 [0.36–0.89] for incident diabetes versus TAM-Area: adj. OR 1.26 [0.79–2.01] and TAM-Index: 1.09 [0.75–1.58]).

Conclusion

TAM-Fraction on a single CT slice at L3/L4 is a novel body composition marker of cardiometabolic risk in a primary prevention setting that has the potential to improve risk stratification beyond traditional measures of obesity.

Key Points

• In this analysis of the Framingham Heart Study (n = 3016), TAM-F on a single slice CT was more closely associated with prevalent and incident cardiometabolic risk factors as compared to TAM alone or TAM indexed to body surface area.

• TAM-F on a single abdominal CT slice at the level of L3/L4 could serve as a standard measure of muscle mass and improve risk prediction

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Title: Standardized measurement of abdominal muscle by computed tomography: association with cardiometabolic risk in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Andreas Kammerlander
Asya Lyass
Taylor F. Mahoney
Jana Taron
Parastou Eslami
Michael T. Lu
Michelle T. Long
Ramachandran S. Vasan
Joseph M. Massaro
Udo Hoffmann
Publication date: 02-07-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Obesity
Computed Tomography
Obesity
Computed Tomography
Hypertension
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 10/2022
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-022-08934-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Standardized measurement of abdominal muscle by computed tomography: association with cardiometabolic risk in the Framingham Heart Study

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

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