Correlation of Computed Tomography Guided Visceral Adiposity & Sagittal Abdominal Diameter with Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetic patients are at high risk for many cardiovascular diseases which are associated with obesity and abdominal fat that includes visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Visceral adiposity contributes to impairment of insulin resistance which is a prerequisite for diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Computed tomography (CT) scan is the gold standard for measurement of VAT but due to its limitations, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) is considered which also has a strong correlation with VAT. There is a good relation between VAT and isolated lipid parameters. However, lipid ratios, such as Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) are of higher predictive value for cardiovascular risk. The present study is focused on exploring the relationship between CT guided visceral adiposity and sagittal abdominal diameter with AIP in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS This study was carried out with a study group of 53 type 2 diabetes patients aged between 25 to 65 years, incorporating appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria in a tertiary care hospital. The biochemical assays done include triglycerides, HDLcholesterol and blood glucose by standard techniques. AIP was calculated by taking the logarithmic ratio of triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels. Measurement of visceral adiposity was done by SAD and CT scan. RESULTS A total of 53 patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) were recruited for the study comprising of 35 males and 18 females. Mean age of the patients was 41.717 +/- 11.658 years. Mean value of SAD was 22.755 +/- 2.70. Mean value of AIP was 0.164 +/- 0.15. Mean value of CT measured visceral adiposity was 77.875 +/- 24.54 HU. Pearson's correlation coefficient for the relationship between SAD and AIP was 0.741 and P value was less than 0.0001 indicating a positive correlation. Pearson's correlation coefficient for the relationship between CT measured visceral adiposity and AIP was 0.765 and P-value was less than 0.0001 which also shows a positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS In our study we demonstrated that SAD and CT guided visceral adiposity was correlating with AIP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.