Central adiposity and subclinical cardiac remodeling in Kyrgyz adults

Objective Central adiposity may be associated with cardiac remodeling, but this remains unstudied in the Kyrgyz population. We examined associations of general (body mass index (BMI)) and central (waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)) adiposity with cardiac alterations in a selected cohort of Kyrgyz adults without established cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hypertension. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 100 adults (median age, 39.0 years; 54% women) underwent echocardiography. Associations were evaluated using partial Spearman correlations adjusted for age and systolic blood pressure, multivariable regression, sex-interaction testing, and adjusted trend analysis across WC quartiles. Results BMI, WC, and WHtR showed FDR-significant partial correlations with seven structural parameters: LA diameter, LA volume, IVS thickness, LVPW thickness, LVEDD, LVESD, and LV mass. For these outcomes, partial correlation coefficients ranged from 0.332–0.602 for BMI, 0.443–0.636 for WC, to 0.314–0.549 for WHtR. In separate adjusted regression models, BMI, WC, and WHtR were each associated with all seven structural outcomes. Diastolic indices showed no FDR-significant adjusted associations, and no evidence of WC × sex interaction was observed. Adjusted trends occurred across WC quartiles for all structural parameters (all nominal P for trend <0.05), without deviation from linearity. Conclusion Adiposity measures, including WC, were associated with several cardiac structural measures in this selected cohort. Structural remodeling coexisted with preserved systolic function and no FDR-significant adjusted associations for the diastolic indices. These findings require confirmation in larger prospective studies because of the small, single-center, urban, cross-sectional design (n = 100).