scholarly journals CT-defined visceral adipose tissue thresholds for identifying metabolic complications: a cross-sectional study in the United Arab Emirates

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e031181
Author(s):  
Sunmi Yoo ◽  
Myung-Whun Sung ◽  
Hongdae Kim

ObjectivesVisceral adipose tissue (VAT) is closely related to obesity complications. We aimed to determine the optimal sex-specific and age-specific VAT thresholds for predicting metabolic complications among individuals living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).DesignRetrospective cross-sectional study.SettingWe reviewed medical records of adults who visited a hospital in the UAE.ParticipantsA total of 369 subjects were included in the final analysis after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria.Primary outcome measuresThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MES).ResultsMES measures excluding waist circumference were present in 73.4% of women and 78.5% of men. VAT areas adjusted for age were significantly greater in the MES group compared with the non-MES group regardless of sex (p<0.05 for all relations); however, subcutaneous adipose tissue areas adjusted for age were not significantly different. Areas under the curve used to predict MES were statistically significant for VAT and visceral to subcutaneous fat ratios among both men and women. Identified cut-off values of VAT to predict MES were 132.0 cm2 in both sexes for individuals under the age of 50 years. For those over 50 years of age, VAT thresholds were greater in women compared with men (173 cm2 vs 124.3 cm2, respectively).ConclusionsOptimal VAT cut-offs to predict MES were 132 cm2 for individuals under 50 years old living in the UAE. These measures are potential target visceral fat values that could be used to reduce obesity-related morbidity in populations with pre-existing metabolic complications.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0242782
Author(s):  
In Cheol Hwang ◽  
Kyoung Kon Kim ◽  
Kyu Rae Lee

Cryolipolysis has been considered as a noninvasive alternative to surgical procedures for reducing subcutaneous fat without affecting the surrounding tissues. However, no clinical trial has investigated changes in the abdominal fat tissue by 12 weeks after cryolipolysis. Therefore, in this split-body trial, we explored whether a single session of unilateral cryolipolysis could change visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue over a period of 12 weeks. We compared the cross-sectional areas of the abdominal adipose tissue of 15 subjects (9 women; 38.3 [10.8] years) by computed tomography before and at 12 weeks after a single treatment of cryolipolysis to the left abdomen and used the right abdomen as untreated control. In addition, we measured participants’ waist circumference, percentage of body fat (by bioelectrical impedance analysis) at baseline and at 6- and 12-weeks post-treatment. Single unilateral cryolipolysis tended to reduce the cross-sectional areas of visceral adipose tissue, by 8.4 cm2 (9.9%), the waist circumferences, and the percent body fat, by 2.8 cm2 (0.6%), overall. The cross-sectional area of visceral adipose tissues on the treated side significantly decreased, by 6.8 cm2 (15.6%; P = 0.003), and that of the untreated side tended to decrease by 1.2 cm2 (3.6%). Thus, a single unilateral session of noninvasive selective cryolipolysis can be considered as a safe and effective treatment for reduction of visceral adipose tissue over a period of 12 weeks, which should result in metabolic improvement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2987-2991
Author(s):  
Cristina Iordache ◽  
Bogdan Vascu ◽  
Eugen Ancuta ◽  
Rodica Chirieac ◽  
Cristina Pomirleanu ◽  
...  

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is commonly involved in various immune-mediated rheumatic disorders accounting for significant disability and impaired quality of life. The aim of our study was to assess inflammatory and immune parameters in patients with TMJ arthritis related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to identify potential relation with severity and dysfunction of TMJ pathology. We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 433 consecutive RA, 32 JIA, 258 AS, and 103 PsA. Only patients presenting with clinically significant TMJ involvement (273) related to their rheumatic condition were included in the final analysis. TMJ involvement is traditionally described in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, particularly in patients with higher levels of inflammation as detected in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Disease activity and severity, as well as biological and positive serological assessments (rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, IL-1) remain significant determinants of the severity of TMJ arthritis.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. A241-A241 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Grivna ◽  
H. Al-Shamsi ◽  
A. Al-Hammadi ◽  
M. Al-Obthani ◽  
M. Al-Ali ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Yuyan Liu ◽  
Yongfang Li ◽  
Jing He ◽  
Ping Ma ◽  
Luyang Yu ◽  
...  

The association of hypertension with skinfold thickness (ST) in adults is not clear. Our study was aimed at finding out the association of hypertension with ST in different gender and obesity categories. This is a cross-sectional study based on 2336 Chinese residents (767 men). Both subscapular skinfold thickness (SST) and tricep skinfold thickness (TST) were examined. We estimated the association of hypertension with per SD increase of SST and TST using multivariable logistic regression analyses in men and women. Six subgroups were stratified using cutoff points of body mass index (BMI) and ST: larger and smaller ST in normal weight (BMI < 24 kg/m2), overweight (24 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2), respectively. The association of hypertension with ST was only shown in women after adjustment for other risk factors. Among women of the normal weight subgroup, higher prevalence of hypertension was shown in those with larger ST. No difference of the prevalence of hypertension was found between women with larger ST in the normal weight subgroup and those with smaller ST in overweight or obesity subgroups. Our study suggested that even for people with normal weight, it was necessary to monitor the subcutaneous fat using ST for preventing hypertension at least in general Chinese women.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Reyes-Barrera ◽  
Victor H. Sainz-Escárrega ◽  
Aida X. Medina-Urritia ◽  
Esteban Jorge-Galarza ◽  
Horacio Osorio-Alonso ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundCompared to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and adiposity measurements, adipose tissue morpho-functionality evaluations are more consistent predictors of cardiometabolic abnormalities. However, these evaluations require determination of adipokines and other non-routine biochemical parameters, which is not feasible in clinical practice. The present study establishes dysfunctional adiposity index (DAI) as a simple, accessible, and reliable marker of early adipocytes morpho-functional abnormalities and cardiometabolic diseases.MethodsTo establish the DAI constant parameters, 340 subjects (134 males and 206 females) without cardiovascular risk factors were selected from a cross-sectional study. Then, DAI was calculated in 36 healthy subjects who underwent subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsy, for whom adipocytes number and size, body composition, circulating adipokines, glucose, insulin, and lipids were also determined. The correlation of DAI with adipocyte morphology (size/number of adipocytes) and functionality (adiponectin/leptin ratio) was analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to define the optimal DAI cut-off point to identify metabolic abnormalities. Finally, the independent association of DAI with cardiometabolic abnormalities was determined in 1418 subjects from the cross-sectional study through multivariate analyses.ResultsThe constant parameters to calculate the DAI were [WC/[22.79+[2.68*BMI]]]*[triglycerides (TG, mmol/L)/1.37]*[1.19/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C, mmol/L)] for males, and [WC/[24.02+[2.37*BMI]]]*[TG(mmol/L)/1.32]*[1.43/HDL-C(mmol/L)] for females. In subjects underwent biopsy, DAI correlated with adipocytes mean area (r=0.358; p=0.032), adipocyte number (r=-0.381; p=0.024), adiponectin/leptin ratio (r=-0.483; p=0.003), and systemic inflammation markers. Compared to BMI, WC, and visceral fat, DAI was the only determination associated with insulin resistance (area under the curve: 0.743; p = 0.017). In the cross-sectional study, DAI ≥1.065 was independently associated with diabetes (OR: 1.96; 95%CI: 1.36-2.84), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (OR: 2.57; 95%CI: 1.98-3.33), subclinical atherosclerosis (OR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.02-2.94), and hypertension (OR: 1.44; 95%CI: 1.10-1.88).ConclusionsThe present study establishes the constant parameters to calculate the DAI and highlights that a DAI ≥ 1.065 is associated with early cardiometabolic abnormalities independently of adiposity and other risk factors. Since DAI is calculated using accessible parameters routinely used in the clinic, this indicator can be easily incorporated in clinical practice for the early identification of adipose tissue abnormalities in apparently healthy subjects.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina M. Al Marzouqi ◽  
Michael E. Otim ◽  
Heba H. Hijazi ◽  
Leena S. Kehail ◽  
Ramsha A. Kamal

Abstract Objectives: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global health pandemic that continues to have an impact on many aspects of everyday life. This study investigates the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 among healthcare workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This study uses a cross-sectional study design. The original data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed via a Google Forms link. Participants were healthcare workers currently working in the UAE healthcare facilities and recruited using snowball sampling. The questionnaire collected information on demographic variables and COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practice.Results: In total, the sample of 107 healthcare workers completed the survey. About 92% of the participants worked in public institutions, 87% were from Dubai, and 673% were female. The majority were aged 31–40 years (34.6%), and 43% were radiographers. 66.4% held bachelor’s degrees and Indian nationalities were (28%) and the Philippinos were (28%). Most (90.7%) participants knew the absence of fever did not mean that the virus could not transmit from an infected person, and 84.1% agreed that wearing general medical masks prevented one from contracting COVID-19. However, only 36.4% strongly believed that wearing a well-fitting face mask was effective. In addition, only 15.9% reported confidently managing patients with symptoms of COVID-19, and 54.2% reported that they were afraid of contracting the virus from patients. Almost half of the participants avoided patients who had symptoms of COVID-19. Conclusion: Overall, healthcare workers’ COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices for healthcare workers in UAE healthcare facilities was very high. However, we found gaps in awareness regarding the spread of the pandemic. Our study recommends that providing healthcare workers with education programs and counseling services would help increase their confidence in treating patients with COVID-19.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haleama Al Sabbah ◽  
Shatha Muhsineh

Background: Growing evidence is showing high levels of physical inactivity and disordered eating attitudes among young females in the United Arab Emirates. This is clearly concerning, but little is known about the activity level of those with disordered eating attitudes and their dieting behavior. This study examines the female Emirati college students’ disordered eating attitudes and its relation to exercise behavior.Method: A cross- sectional study using a validated and reliable questionnaire was conducted on 242 Emirati female students attending a public university in Dubai. Eating Attitudes Test- 26 (EAT26) was used to measure eating attitudes and the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was included to measure physical activity level. A systematic random sampling from a list of classes in the fall 2014 semester was used for recruitment. The university’s Research Ethics Committee approved the study and consents were obtained from participants. SPSS v.21 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare frequencies. Significance level was set at 0.05.Results: The participants’ mean age and standard deviation (Mean± SD) was 19 ±1.3 years. 31.4% of the participants showed disordered eating attitudes. The percentage of participants engaged in at least one concerning behavior in the past six months was 43.8%. A membership in a health club was significantly related to disordered eating attitudes (p <0.01). A high level of physical activity was correlated with laxative use, over the counter supplements, and exercising for more than 60 minutes to control weight (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a great need for intervention programs and policies to contain the level of abnormal eating attitudes and promote healthy level of physical activity among college students.


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