In young women with BMI <30, EAT thickness above 0.376 mm is independently associated with multiple metabolic indices linked to early metabolic syndrome.
Is epicardial adipose tissue thickness associated with metabolic syndrome parameters in young women with BMI <30?
Increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness is independently associated with metabolic indices linked to metabolic syndrome in young non-obese women, suggesting its potential as an early predictor of metabolic dysfunction.
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Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, traditionally identified by increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. (1) However, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, a metabolically active visceral fat depot, may serve as an early predictor of MetS even in individuals without overt obesity. (2) This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between EAT thickness and metabolic parameters in young women with BMI 30 and investigate its potential role in predicting MetS development. A total of 121 young female patients (BMI 30) were included. EAT thickness was measured using transthoracic echocardiography. Key metabolic indices, including LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, LAP index, VAI index, AIP index, TyG index, GGT, hs-CRP, TSH, FT4, atherogenic plasma index (API), triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL index), left atrial (LA) diameter, and aortic root diameter (AA), were assessed. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between EAT and metabolic parameters. Subsequently, multivariate backward linear regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of EAT thickness. Participants were stratified based on the median EAT thickness into two groups: below and above the median. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare metabolic indices between groups. EAT thickness was significantly associated with HDL (p=0.045), TyG index (p0.001), API (p0.001), TG/HDL index (p=0.003), GGT (p=0.022), and LA diameter (p=0.006), AA diameter (p=0.025). In multivariate analysis, AIP index (p=0,009) and LA diameter (p=0.016) remained independent predictors of increased EAT thickness. The median epicardial adipose tissue thickness was determined to be 0.376 mm. Then patients with EAT thickness above the median had significantly higher metabolic indices compared to those below the median (p0.05 for all comparisons). In young women with BMI 30, increased EAT thickness is independently associated with metabolic indices linked to MetS. EAT may serve as an early predictor of metabolic dysfunction before BMI or waist circumference increase, highlighting its potential role in risk stratification for MetS in non-obese individuals. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore clinical applications. Such studies will be valuable both in the early detection and management of metabolic syndrome, one of the most significant cardiovascular risks of our time, and in guiding research focused on the female heart.Linear regression analysis Mann-Whitney U test
Erdem et al. (Sat,) reported a other. In young women with BMI <30, EAT thickness above 0.376 mm is independently associated with multiple metabolic indices linked to early metabolic syndrome.