Visceral Adiposity Index: a reliable indicator of visceral fat function associated with cardiometabolic risk.
OBJECTIVE
To individuate a novel sex-specific index, based on waist circumference, BMI, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol, indirectly expressing visceral fat function.


METHODS
Visceral adiposity index (VAI) was first modeled on 315 nonobese healthy subjects. Using two multiple logistic regression models, VAI was retrospectively validated in 1,498 primary care patients in comparison to classical cardio- and cerebrovascular risk factors.


RESULTS
All components of metabolic syndrome increased significantly across VAI quintiles. VAI was independently associated with both cardiovascular (odd ratio [OR] 2.45; 95% CI 1.52-3.95; P < 0.001) and cerebrovascular (1.63; 1.06-2.50; P = 0.025) events. VAI also showed significant inverse correlation with insulin sensitivity during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp in a subgroup of patients (R(s) = -0.721; P < 0.001). By contrast, no correlations were found for waist circumference and BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests VAI is a valuable indicator of "visceral adipose function" and insulin sensitivity, and its increase is strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk.
Amato
Marco C
MC
Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale ed Applicazioni Cliniche, Section of Endocrinology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. agalluz@unipa.it
Giordano
Carla
C
Galia
Massimo
M
Criscimanna
Angela
A
Vitabile
Salvatore
S
Midiri
Massimo
M
Galluzzo
Aldo
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides