Age and sex differences in intrapancreatic fat deposition: A cross-sectional CT study

Intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) is associated with health issues, yet its distribution patterns across age and gender remain unclear. This study analyzed differences in computed tomography (CT)-based IPFD content among different age and gender groups.

A retrospective cohort of 1305 adults undergoing chest CT examinations was established. Pancreatic and splenic CT attenuation values were measured, pancreas-to-spleen CT ratio (P/S) and pancreas-to-spleen CT difference (P-S) were also calculated which served as indicators of IPFD. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess the relationship between each parameter and age stratified by sex. Multiple linear regression was applied to evaluate the independent effects of age and sex.

Pancreatic fat-related CT parameters were negatively correlated with age (r = -0.527 to -0.467, p < 0.001). Compared to young adults aged 21-29 years, pancreatic CT attenuation and both the P/S ratio and P-S difference fallen markedly by the 51-59-year group. An even greater difference was observed in individuals over 70 years of age. The P/S ratio and P-S of males were significantly lower than female in each age group. Multiple linear regression showed that age were independent negative predictors of all parameters (p < 0.001), while gender was an independent influencing factor of the P/S ratio (β = 0.073, p = 0.004) and P-S (β = 0.072, P = 0.004), but had no independent predictive effect on the unadjusted pancreatic CT value.

IPFD shows a gradual increase with advancing age and is higher in males compared to females.