Increased epicardial adipose tissue in type 1 diabetes is associated with central obesity and metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Aims The present study evaluated the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS), body fat composition and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in type 1 diabetes. Epicardial adipose tissue is a new independent marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Forty-five type 1 diabetic women were evaluated (age 36 ± 9 years; body mass index 24.6 ± 4.4 kg/m 2). Metabolic syndrome was defined by the World Health Organization criteria. Body fat composition and EAT were analyzed by dual-energy-X-ray absorptiometry and echocardiogram, respectively. Results Twenty patients (45%) had MS. Patients with MS had greater android (central) fat deposition than patients without MS (41.9 ± 2.0% vs. 33.7 ± 1.8%, p = 0.004). Total body fat and gynoid (peripheric) fat distribution were similar between the groups. Mean EAT was higher in patients with MS (6.15 ± 0.34 mm vs. 4.96 ± 0.25 mm; p = 0.006) and EAT was positively correlated with android (central) fat distribution ( r = 0.44; p = 0.002), however no correlation was found with gynoid (peripheric) fat distribution. Conclusions There was a high incidence of MS in type 1 diabetes related to increased central adiposity, despite the absence of obesity. Metabolic syndrome and central obesity were associated with increased EAT. Thus, young non-obese type 1 diabetic women with central adiposity and/or MS may have increased EAT, what may predict CAD risk.