Ectopic fat is linked to prior cardiovascular events in men with HIV

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2012 Apr 15;59(5):494-7. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31824c8397.

Abstract

Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT) has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events in the general population. We studied the association of general adiposity measures (body mass index, waist circumference) and ectopic adipose tissue [visceral adipose tissue (VAT); liver fat (LF); EAT) with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) (prior myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, stroke, peripheral vascular disease] in 583 HIV-infected men. VAT, EAT, and LF (liver/spleen attenuation ratio < 1.1) were measured by computed tomography. Patients' mean age was 48.5 ± 8.1 years, prior CVD was present in 33 (5.7%) patients. Factors independently associated with CVD on multivariable analyses were age [incidence-rate ratio (IRR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02 to 1.12], smoking (IRR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.22 to 6.01), Center for Disease Control group C (IRR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.41 to 6.76), EAT (IRR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.24, per 10 cm), LF (IRR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.32), and VAT (IRR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.10, per 10 cm). Ectopic fat but not general adiposity measures were associated with prevalent CVD in men with HIV.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / complications*
  • HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / diagnostic imaging
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / metabolism
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Waist Circumference / physiology