The relationship between coronary atherosclerosis and body fat distribution measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Body fat distribution is closely related to cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between truncal fat distribution and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: Total body fat and regional body fat distributions were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 746 Korean patients who underwent coronary angiography. The ratios of truncal fat mass to total body fat mass (FMtrunk/FMtotal), truncal fat mass to fat mass in both legs (FMtrunk/FMleg) and truncal fat mass to fat mass in both arms (FMtrunk/FMarm) were calculated as representative parameters for truncal fat accumulation. The extent of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using the Gensini score. RESULTS: The mean Gensini score of the patients was 21.3 +/- 24.4. FMtrunk/FMtotal, FMtrunk/FMleg and FMtrunk/FMarm revealed positive correlations with the Gensini score (r = 0.242, p < 0.001: r = 0.219, p < 0.001: r = 0.133, p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, body mass index (BMI) and total body fat mass did not correlate with the Gensini score. On multiple regression analysis, FMtrunk/FMtotal was associated with the Gensini score independently of age, gender, BMI and major risk factors of coronary heart disease (B = 0.039, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Truncal fat distribution is associated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis and more clinically relevant to that compared with total body fat or BMI in Korean patients.