Evaluation of body mass index, ponderal index, visceral cross-sectional area, subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area, and liver volume as predictive factors for obesity-related comorbidities: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundThe body mass index is an imperfect clinical measure of obesity that should be used in conjunction with other valid measures of weight-related risk. We studied whether there is a superior measure of obesity-related comorbidities. MethodsRecords of bariatric clinic patients who had an abdominal computed tomography (CT) within one year of visit were reviewed. The presence of obesity-related comorbidities was determined at the time of the scan. Body mass index (BMI) and ponderal index (PI) were calculated, and CT scans were reviewed to determine the visceral cross-sectional area (VCSA), subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area (SFCSA), and liver volume (LV). Data was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test. ResultsA higher number of comorbidities were found to be associated with a larger BMI (p=0.011), VCSA (p=0.014), SFCSA (p=0.007), and LV (p=0.014), but not a larger PI (p=0.11). Of the 16 comorbidities assessed, VCSA and LV were associated with more than BMI and SFCSA. However, each measure could be associated with different comorbidities. A higher BMI was associated with increased insulin use (p=0.034), HTN (p=0.007), and history of OSA (p=0.015), none of which were associated with PI. BMI and PI were the only measures associated with a history of DVT/PE (both p<0.01). Only SFCSA was found to be associated with GERD (p=0.029). VCSA (p=0.038) and LV (p=0.001) were associated with NAFLD. ConclusionNo measure could account for all obesity-related comorbidities, implying the need for targeted measurements. However, the ponderal index was the least effective measure.