Open AccessThe relationship between diabetes and abdominal fat distribution, as measured by CT scanning
Author(s) -
Stieler G,
Yelland M
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
radiographer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 0033-8273
DOI - 10.1002/j.2051-3909.2009.tb00103.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , abdominal fat , abdomen , type 2 diabetes , peritoneum , significant difference , abdominal computed tomography , computed tomography , radiology , nuclear medicine , surgery , body weight , endocrinology
Background : Diabetes is rapidly becoming Australia's fastest growing disease. Efforts to prevent or detect this disease earlier have led to research into risk factors which may be relevant. The objective of this project was to examine the relationship between diabetes and abdominal fat distribution as measured by computed tomography (CT) scanning. Methods : A consecutive series of patients undergoing abdominal CT scanning, including 10 patients with type 2 diabetes and 32 patients without diabetes, who presented for CT scanning, were included in the study. Total abdominal and intra‐abdominal fat (within the peritoneum) were measured from the CT images. Results : There was no significant difference between the mean age, weight and total abdominal fat of diabetics and non‐diabetics. The diabetics had a greater amount of intra‐abdominal fat (mean: 41.3 cm 3 ) compared to the non‐diabetic group (27.2 cm 3 ); mean difference 14.1 cm 3 , 95% CI; 1.4 cm 3 −26.8 cm 3 , P = 0.028. The percentage of total abdominal fat that was intra‐abdominal was also greater among diabetic patients; diabetic 35.3%, non‐diabetic 27.6%; mean difference: 7.6%, 95% CI; 1.1%‐14.2%, P = 0.02. Conclusions : The results support the debate that location of abdominal fat within the peritoneum is more prevalent with diabetic subjects. Radiologists should consider this when reporting abdominal CT.