Visceral fat area is more strongly associated with arterial stiffness than abdominal subcutaneous fat area in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Abstract Background Few studies have compared the correlation between visceral fat area (VFA) and abdominal subcutaneous fat area (SFA) with arterial stiffness (AS) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In addition, there is currently controversy regarding the correlation between VFA and SFA with AS. We aimed to investigate the relationship between VFA and SFA with AS in patients with T2D. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 1475 Chinese T2D patients with an average age of 52.32 ± 10.96 years were included. VFA and SFA were determined by a dual bioelectrical impedance analyzer, and AS was determined by measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave conduction velocity (baPWV). Atherosclerosis was deemed present in study participants with baPWV values higher than 75th percentile (1781 cm/s). Independent correlations of logVFA and logSFA with AS were assessed using multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression. Results The baPWV was linked with VFA, waist circumference, and women’s SFA in a general linear correlation study (P 0.05). Conclusions Compared with SFA, VFA had a stronger independent positive correlation with AS in Chinese T2D patients. Patients with T2D should pay more attention to monitoring VFA and lowering it to minimize cardiovascular events.

Keywords

• Visceral fat area
• Abdominal subcutaneous fat area
• Type 2 diabetes
• Arterial stiffness
• Insulin resistance