Effects of body mass index, mesenteric and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue on the spinopelvic parameters

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI), thickness of the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT), thickness of the mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT), weight and height on spinopelvic parameters.

A total of 400 patients presented to the radiology department for whole abdominal computed tomography were included in the study. Patients' weight and height were measured to calculate BMI. Thickness of ASAT and MAT, lumbosacral angle (LSA), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) were measured from the images obtained. We analyzed the effects of BMI, ASAT, and MAT on spinopelvic parameters. In addition, patients included in the study were screened for isthmic spondylolisthesis and transitional vertebrae. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 15.0 package software. p < 0.05 Values were considered statistically significant.

BMI and thickness of ASAT and MAT increased with aging both in male and female individuals. There was a positive correlation between PI and weight, thickness of ASAT and thickness of MAT, while a negative correlation was found between PI and height (p < 0.01). SS angle was positively correlated with weight (p < 0.01). A weak positive correlation was found between PT angle and thickness of MAT and height (p < 0.05). The rate of transitional vertebrae and isthmic spondylolisthesis was 2 and 4.6%, consecutively. PI and SS values were significantly higher in the subjects having spondylolisthesis than normal population (p < 0.01).

It should be kept in mind that obesity might increase the risk for development of spondylolisthesis by causing increase in PI angle.