The relationship between the visceral adiposity index and carotid atherosclerosis in different genders and age groups

Objective: We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS) in different genders and age groups in China. Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional study and included 1996 participants who were health examination population .From January 2018 to June 2019, people over 18 years old who had physical examinations were included in the study. Each participant completed a standard questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, ultrasonic examination ,and provided blood samples for biochemical measurements. Regression models were utilized to evaluate the correlation between VAI and the CAS risk. An ROC curve was utilized to predict VAI diagnostic efficacy for carotid atherosclerosis. Result: After adjusting for potential risks, high-VAI subjects had an increased OR of having CAS in women aged>44 years[OR= 3.09,95% Confdence interval (95%CI)=1.64⑶5.82, p <0.001]. In females, the AUC and sensitivity specificity were [(0.595, 76.68% and 39.85%, all females), (0.575, 78.51% and 30.37%, age ≤44), (0.609, 84.71% and 40.46%, age >44). When compared with traditional obesity indices(BMI, WC, and HC) , the predictive ability of VAI was stronger in females >44.The same relationships in males were not signifcant. Conclusions: The VAI were associated with an increased risk of CAS,and it could be selected as new and simple predictors of CAS for middle-aged and elderly women(age >44)in China .