Sonographic Estimation of Visceral Adipose Tissue in an African Population

Abstract

Purpose: To establish normal values of sonographically-quantified visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in an African population and to correlate results with biomarkers. Patients and Methods: 100 male and 150 female volunteers were scanned for intra-abdominal adipose tissue thickness. Other parameters obtained include BMI, WC, and blood pressure (BP). Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to estimate the degree of relationship in VAT, BMI, WC, and blood pressure. Results: The mean VAT thickness was 25.36 ± 16.42 mm. VAT correlated positively and linearly with age (r = 0.651; p < 0.05), BMI (males: r = 0.745, p < 0.05, and females: r = 0.736; p < 0.05), WC (males: r = 0.797, p < 0.05; females: r = 0.779, p < 0.05), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. (Systolic: r = 0.524, p < 0.05, and diastolic: r = 0.535, p <0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound is a useful tool in assessing VAT during routine scans to identify patients at risk of increased blood pressure and cardiac diseases associated with obesity.