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Subcutaneous fat patterns in type-2 diabetic men and healthy controls
Erwin Tafeit1, Renate Horejsi, Thomas Rudolf Pieber
1Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Center of Physiological Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. erwin.tafeit@meduni-graz.at
Collegium Antropologicum
|September 2, 2008
Summary
The LIPOMETER device accurately measures subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT-Top), revealing distinct body fat distribution patterns in male type-2 diabetes patients compared to healthy individuals. This non-invasive method aids in identifying diabetes risk through body fat analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Diagnostics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) distribution, or SAT topography (SAT-Top), varies between individuals and can be indicative of metabolic health.
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with altered body fat distribution patterns.
- Non-invasive methods for assessing SAT-Top are crucial for understanding disease-specific fat deposition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific SAT-Top patterns in male type 2 diabetes patients.
- To compare the SAT-Top of diabetic patients with a healthy control group.
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of SAT-Top measurements for type 2 diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the LIPOMETER optical device for non-invasive measurement of SAT thickness at 15 body sites.
- Applied factor analysis to identify distinct subcutaneous body fat compartments.
- Employed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess diagnostic power.
Main Results:
- Factor analysis identified three main SAT compartments: "upper body", "lower trunks", and "legs".
- Diabetic men exhibited significantly more pronounced upper body SAT-Top compared to healthy controls (p<0.001).
- ROC analysis demonstrated high diagnostic power for upper body SAT-Top measures (e.g., sum2: area index=0.86, sensitivity=81%, specificity=90.1%), with improved discrimination for patients with HbA1c >8.
Conclusions:
- Male type 2 diabetes patients display a distinct SAT-Top pattern, characterized by increased upper body fat, differing significantly from healthy individuals.
- The LIPOMETER device, combined with factor analysis and ROC analysis, shows promise as a tool for detecting type 2 diabetes based on SAT-Top.
- Specific upper body fat measurements, particularly the sum of neck and biceps (sum2), are strong indicators of diabetes probability.
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