Association of predicted lean body mass and fat mass with cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the United States and worldwide. 1,2 Among several modifiable risk factors for CVD, obesity is recognized as a major risk factor. Body mass index (BMI) is a good measure of obesity; many epidemiologic studies have found that obesity, evaluated by BMI, is associated with increased risk of CVD. owever, recent studies have found that BMI is an imperfect measure of obesity and it does not discriminate between lean body mass and fat mass. Lean body mass (mainly skeletal muscles) has a protective role, whereas fat mass is detrimental. eople with the same BMI may have different body compositions. Furthermore, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) tend to be overweight and obese compared with those who do not have the disease. 9 Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been shown to be associated with lower lean body mass. The factors (e.g., dietary habit, exercise and age) that may affect lean body mass and fat mass are completely different in these 2 populations. Therefore, lean body mass and fat mass may play different roles in these groups. 7]