Ultrasound measures of abdominal fat layers correlate with metabolic syndrome features in patients with obesity.

OBJECTIVE

Abdominal fat ultrasound (US) is a simple clinical tool that may allow measures of fat depots not visible using common dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The aim of this study was to validate the technique, give measures of and , , and (retroperitoneal) fat and correlate them with MS markers.

METHODS

Sequential US measures of these five abdominal fat layers were done at 397 adults. Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist, body fat %, HOMA-IR index (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), lipid profile and leptin were recorded. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to Cholesterol education programme adult treatment panel III (ATPIII) criteria.

RESULTS

and fat were increased among people with obesity, whereas and fat did not show any difference according to BMI or waist. Women showed thicker fat (both superficial and profound), whereas men had bigger fat. Both postmenopausal and diabetic patients had changes in fat only, whereas patients with fatty liver showed thicker and fat, as well. MS patients showed both thicker and fat. A cut-off of 54 mm in male (M)/34 mm in female (F) of fat and 22.5 mm (M)/12.5 mm (F) of fat could be predictive of later MS onset.

CONCLUSIONS

US is a valid method to measure all different abdominal fat depots. and fat measures may classify patients at risk for MS. fat depot may also correlate with fatty liver disease.