Key result
Higher relative fat mass is linked to ~4% lower odds of severe abdominal aortic calcification.
Why the study?
Abdominal aortic calcification reliably predicts future cardiovascular incidents, but its association with relative fat mass in US adults required investigation.
Is relative fat mass associated with abdominal aortic calcification in US adults aged ≥40 years?
Cross-Sectional (n=3,079)
Is relative fat mass associated with abdominal aortic calcification in US adults aged ≥40 years?
Odds Ratio: 0.962 (95% CI 0.924–1.004)
p-value: p=0.040
Relative fat mass exhibits a nonlinear, inverse association with abdominal aortic calcification in US adults, suggesting a potential threshold effect where lower fat mass correlates with higher calcification risk.
Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) serves as a reliable predictor of future cardiovascular incidents. This study investigated the association between relative fat mass (RFM) and AAC in US adults. A total of 3079 adults aged ≥40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 to 2014 were included in the cross-sectional study. AAC was evaluated using a semi-quantitative scoring system known as AAC-24, with an AAC score >6 considered severe AAC (SAAC). Logistic regression analyses and restricted cubic splines were applied. Subgroup analyses were also conducted. After adjusting for confounding factors, a clear link was established between RFM and AAC score (β = −0.048, 95% CI: −0.078 to −0.017, P < .01) and between RFM and SAAC (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.00, P < .05). Further restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a negative correlation between RFM and both AAC score and SAAC. In this cross-sectional study, an inverse association was observed between RFM and both AAC score and severe AAC, with a threshold of approximately 48 to 50. Below this threshold, lower RFM was associated with a sharply higher probability of calcification; above it, higher RFM corresponded to a gradually lower probability. Due to the cross-sectional design, causality cannot be inferred. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to validate these findings.
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Lingxiao Fang (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Abdominal aortic calcification (n=3,079). Relative fat mass (RFM) vs. Lower relative fat mass was evaluated on Severe abdominal aortic calcification (SAAC) (OR 0.962, 95% CI 0.924-1.004, p=0.040). Higher relative fat mass was inversely associated with the odds of severe abdominal aortic calcification (OR 0.962) in US adults, with a nonlinear threshold effect observed around an RFM of 48 to 50.
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