The Relationship Between Visceral Fat Obesity and the Atherogenic Combined Index in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes...

The presence of abdominal obesity, characterized by an accumulation of visceral fat area (VFA), has been identified as a significant risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its associated complications. Substantial evidence has proven that it's strongly associated with lipid metabolism. The atherogenic combined index (ACI) is a novel non-traditional lipid index, but there is no clear evidence to explore the relationship with visceral fat obesity (VFO). Our study aimed to interpret this relationship in T2DM.

In accordance with the research objective, this cross-sectional study retrospectively included 2,323 patients with T2DM from February 2020 to March 2023. The clinical and biochemical data were measured. VFA measurement was conducted at the umbilicus level using a dual bioelectrical impedance analysis. VFO was redefined as VFA ≥ 100 cm². The formula of ACI was based on triglyceride, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Patients were categorized into the VFO group and the non-VFO group, which were then further divided according to gender.

The incidence of VFO was found to be higher among males than females. Among participants of both genders, the level of ACI was found to be significantly increased in the VFO group compared with the non-VFO group (both p < 0.001). As the ACI increased, the incidence of VFO increased concomitantly. Univariate correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between ACI and VFO (correlation coefficient: 0.223, p < 0.001 in females; correlation coefficient: 0.302, p < 0.001 in males). Logistic regression analysis indicated that ACI was associated with VFO independently (OR: 1.797, p = 0.029 in females; OR: 2.501, p < 0.001 in males).

The ACI had been found to be independently correlated with VFO in patients with T2DM in both genders. This finding had the potential to facilitate the monitoring and management of VFO in T2DM.