Quantification of Subcutaneous and Visceral Fat in Abdominal CT and the Correlation with Metabolic Parameters

The objective of this study was to determine the association of Computed tomography quantified visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using CKD-EPI formula, diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI), proteinuria, lipid profile, and hypertension. Increased adipose tissue is the primary phenotypic characteristic of obesity. The amount and distribution of adipose tissue is associated with many adverse consequences, as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease etc. Abdominal CT with semi-automated software can quantify adipose tissue and predict the risk for metabolic diseases. This cross-sectional study was carried out of 101 individuals (71 Males and 30 Females) with the mean age of 59.4 ± 5.2 years. Axial sections of non-contrast CT abdomen between L4-5 intervertebral disc (10 mm) were selected to quantify VAT and SAT utilizing GE advanced workstation software. We took 18.5-22.9 kg/ m2 as the normal BMI for Indian population is. Hypertension was defined as per JNC 8 guidelines. The mean eGFR among hypertensives (no of ppl) was 78.1 ± 38.1, compared to 106 ± 29.8 in normotensives (p<0.001). A trend was observed towards lower eGFR with higher VAT (r=-0.194, p= 0.052). The mean eGFR among diabetics (82.1 ± 38 ml/min) was lower compared with non-diabetics (104.7 ±31.9ml/min, p= 0.002). There is a significant increase in VAT with increasing age (p=0.003). In a sample of 72 individuals' with high TGL and low HDL, showed trend towards increased adipose tissue in subcutaneous and visceral compartment. BMI showed positive association with VAT (p<0.001) and SAT(p<0.001). CT quantification of adipose tissue can be used as a predictive tool to assess risk for metabolic diseases and decline in renal function. Further, it helps in early implementation of pharmacological or life-style based modification for better survival.