Key result
Mean epicardial adipose tissue thickness was significantly higher in COVID-19 PCR positive patients compared to PCR negative patients (5.85 mm vs 5.15 mm, p=0.007).
Why the study?
To compare thorax CT-derived body fat-muscle and visceral obesity indices between RT-PCR positive and negative patients presenting with flu-like symptoms.
Cross-Sectional (n=291)
No
Absolute Event Rate: 5.85% vs 5.15%
p-value: p=0.007
Higher epicardial adipose tissue thickness measured on unenhanced thorax CT is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection, whereas peripheral fat-muscle indices are not.
Higher EAT linked to PCR positivity; leaves open whether visceral fat indices predict infection risk prospectively.
Objective: To compare body fat-muscle and visceral obesity indices that can be measured with thorax computed tomography (CT) between reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) positive and negative patients. Material and Methods: This retrospective, comparative study included 141 PCR (+) and 150 PCR (-) patients who applied to our hospital with flu-like symptoms without having the comorbid diseases and undergone thoracic CT between April 1, 2020-July 1, 2020. For the each patient, the ratio of thoracic subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness to pectoralis major muscle thickness (TSAT/PMJ), epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT), liver density (LD), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness to psoas major muscle thickness ratio (ASAT/ PSM), subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue thickness to erector spinae muscle thickness ratio (ASAT/ESM) was measured. The comparison was made between the subgroups in terms of age, gender, and measured parameters. Results: Statistically significant difference was found between PCR (+) and (-) individuals in terms of EAT mean (p0.05) in terms of TSAT/PMJ, ASAT/PSM, LD, ASAT/ESM. Conclusion: Higher EAT values can increase the risk of getting coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. Peripheral fat-muscle indices don't increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 infection.
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YETKİN et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in COVID-19 (n=291). COVID-19 infection (PCR positive) vs. PCR negative was evaluated on Epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT) mean in mm (p=0.007). Mean epicardial adipose tissue thickness was significantly higher in COVID-19 PCR positive patients compared to PCR negative patients (5.85 mm vs 5.15 mm, p=0.007).
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