Key result
Higher BMI, central obesity, and an increased number of metabolic syndrome criteria were significantly correlated with greater ectopic fat accumulation in the muscle, pancreas, and liver.
Why the study?
Obesity is a major global cause of preventable death, prompting the assessment of ectopic fat accumulation in the pancreas, liver, and skeletal muscle across different BMI categories in correlation with metabolic syndrome.
Does ectopic fat accumulation assessed by MRI correlate with BMI, central obesity, and metabolic syndrome?
Cross-Sectional (n=267)
Does ectopic fat accumulation assessed by MRI correlate with BMI, central obesity, and metabolic syndrome?
MRI assessment of ectopic fat accumulation in the pancreas, liver, and muscle correlates with metabolic syndrome severity and may help predict metabolic risk.
Supports multi-organ ectopic fat as metabolic sequela; leaves open causal pathways and intervention targets.
Purpose: Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 kg/m 2 , is a serious health problem, which can be called an epidemic on a global scale and is one of the most important causes of preventable death. The aim of this study was to assess ectopic fat accumulation in pancreas, liver and skeletal muscle in patients with obesity, overweight and normal BMI in correlation with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Patients and methods: The study included 267 consecutive patients who underwent a standard clinical assessment with BMI calculation. Ectopic fat accumulation in pancreas, liver, and skeletal muscle was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using fat–water separated Dixon imaging. MetS was defined according to the criteria modified by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines. Central obesity was defined using gender and ethnic-specific values for waist circumference. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between the degree of steatosis of the assessed organs and BMI value as well as waist circumference ratio, that determined the degree of central obesity. It was found that the most rapid relative fat accumulation was in muscle, then in pancreas and then in liver. Higher steatosis of pancreas, liver, and muscle was demonstrated depending on the number of the satisfied MetS criteria. Conclusion: Knowing that pancreatic fatty disease is a risk factor for MetS, it seems that assessment and monitoring of ectopic fat accumulation may have important clinical implications and may be used in the prediction of metabolic risk and its early prevention.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Pieńkowska et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Obesity and metabolic syndrome (n=267). Obesity, central obesity, and metabolic syndrome vs. Normal BMI and fewer metabolic syndrome criteria was evaluated on Correlation between degree of steatosis in pancreas, liver, and muscle and BMI, waist circumference, and metabolic syndrome criteria. Higher BMI, central obesity, and an increased number of metabolic syndrome criteria were significantly correlated with greater ectopic fat accumulation in the muscle, pancreas, and liver.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: