Sonographic Measurement of Visceral Fat Thickness as a Correlate of Existing Metabolic Syndrome- A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a well-known disease of multiple risk factors that has at its core, insulin resistance accompanying abnormal adipose deposition and function. Multiple studies demonstrate a potential relationship between Visceral Fat Thickness (VFT) and metabolic syndrome. Ultrasound provides a radiation free low-cost alternative, which is high reproducible in the quantification of visceral fat and can act as an effective screening modality. The simplicity of the method combined with its objectiveness makes it advantageous for accurate measurement of VFT. Aim: To correlate of sonographic measurement of VFT with existing metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all patients that underwent ultrasound at the study center between August 2016 to August 2019 and were clinically suspected of suffering from metabolic syndrome at the Endocrinology Outpatient Department (OPD). Collation of data into three categories based on VFT (10 cm) was done. The patients in each category underwent further testing and metabolic syndrome was either ruled out or diagnosed. Results: The study cohort comprised of 2022 patients. The VFT ranged between 4 and 16 with a mean value of 10.8 and standard deviation of 2.8. The percentage of patients with metabolic syndrome increased in proportion to the increased VFT. VFT >10 cm was found to have specificity and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 92.52% and 92.53% respectively while VFT <7 cm was found to have a sensitivity and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 95.11% and 95.10%, respectively. Conclusion: Ultrasound seems to be the best screening tool for the assessment of intra-abdominal fat deposition as the number of VFT subjects with metabolic syndrome in Category 1 was higher.

Keywords

• adipose deposition
• body fat
• ultrasound