EMPLOYING DUAL ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY TO ASSESS CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN 500

Abstract

The waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) is a widely accepted method for assessing regional fat distribution (RFD) and an increased WHR is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry(DXA) analysis is now being explored as an alternative method for assessing RFD. In this study we examined the feasibility of using, as a risk factor, the ratio of waist fat to hip fat obtained from a total body DXA scan (Hologic QDR-2000). Total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoproteins (HDL), non-high density lipoproteins (TC-HDL = Non-HDL), triglycerides (TG), and apolipoprotein B (apo B) were measured in 43 postmenopausal women (49-74yrs) presently not on hormone replacement therapy and having cholesterol above 200 mg/dL. Regional fat mass (RFM) was estimated in the waist from the 2nd lumbar vertebra to the anterior superior iliac spine and in the hip from the anterior superior iliac crest to the ischial tuberosities regions by DXA (RFM-DXA) soft tissue analysis. Given below are the correlations with p values in parentheses. The correlation analysis revealed that the RFM-DXA was significantly correlated with all serum lipids, lipoproteins, and apo B; the WHR was not significantly correlated with TC and apo B; and a stronger correlation was noted between the lipid/lipoprotein profile with RFM-DXA technique than with the WHR method. Based on the sample population of postmenopausal women used in this study, these results indicate that the RFM-DXA analysis is more reflective of CVD risk as indicated by circulating lipids/lipoproteins and apo B than is the WHR. Thus, the RFM-DXA technique may be an alternative method to the conventional WHR in assessing CVD risk factors. Table