[Correlation between vertebral bone marrow fat and abdomen fat: a prospective study]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Metabolic Health
• Body Composition Analysis

Background:

• Bone marrow fat accumulation is linked to metabolic dysfunction.
• Abdominal fat, particularly visceral adipose tissue (VAT), is a key indicator of metabolic risk.
• Understanding the relationship between bone marrow fat and abdominal fat can provide insights into metabolic health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between lumbar bone marrow fat fraction (FF%) and abdominal fat (VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue - SAT).
• To compare these correlations between different age groups (≥50 years vs. <50 years) and sexes.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-eight participants (32 men, 36 women) underwent 1.5T MRI for lumbar bone marrow fat fraction (FF%) measurement.
• Quantitative CT scans were used to measure abdominal VAT and SAT.
• Data were analyzed comparing age groups and sexes.

Main Results:

• In men, FF% showed no significant correlation with BMI, VAT, or SAT across age groups.
• In women aged ≥50 years, FF% positively correlated with VAT (r=0.499, P<0.05) but not SAT.
• In women aged <50 years, FF% did not correlate with VAT or SAT.

Conclusions:

• Lumbar bone marrow fat fraction is positively associated with visceral abdominal fat in postmenopausal women.
• This correlation is absent in men and premenopausal women.
• Age and sex are critical factors influencing the relationship between bone marrow and abdominal adiposity.