Association of body composition parameters with aortic elastic properties in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics

BACKGROUND: In individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), impairments in aortic elastic functions due to vascular remodeling and changes in cardiac morphology and function are observed from the time of diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated alterations in aortic elastic functions in newly diagnosed T2DM patients using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and explored their association with various body composition parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 273 newly diagnosed diabetic patients (144 females; mean age: 50.7±12.2 years) and 139 control subjects without any detected diseases (90 females; mean age: 47.1±8.5 years) were included in the study. Echocardiographic parameters and aortic elastic properties were evaluated using TTE. Body composition indices, including Body Mass Index, Waist-to-Hip Ratio, Tri-Ponderal Mass Index (TMI), Visceral Adiposity Index, Body Shape Index, Body Roundness Index, Body Adiposity Index, and Cardiometabolic Index were calculated for all participants. RESULTS: When aortic elastic parameters were evaluated, aortic strain and aortic distensibility were significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2, while the aortic stiffness index was significantly higher in Group 1. Aortic elastic parameters were significantly correlated with most of all body composition indices except for BSI, with the highest correlation observed with TMI (AS; rho=0.490, ASI; rho=0.456, AD; 0.516; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In newly diagnosed T2DM patients, aortic elastic functions are impaired at the time of diagnosis compared to the normal population. Among body composition indices; the most significant association was found with TMI. TMI may be considered a potential screening tool not only for evaluating aortic elastic functions but also for identifying other atherosclerotic processes.