Comparison of visceral fat thickness measured using ultrasonography in patients with metabolic syndrome and normal subjects

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.  Visceral fat thickness (VFT) has been proposed as a potential predictor of metabolic syndrome owing to its correlation with central obesity and insulin resistance  AIM: This study aimed to correlate the sonographic measurement of visceral fat thickness (VFT) in patients with existing metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted over 18 months included 300 participants categorized into Metabolic syndrome (n=150) and normal control (n=150) groups from the Radiology department at SRM Medical College and Research Centre, Chengalpattu. VFT was measured using grey scale ultrasound and participants were stratified into two groups based on the VFT measurement. Statistical analyses, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and correlation coefficients were performed. Additional data on patients age, gender, mean weight, mean height, mean Basal metabolic index, HbA1c, Waist circumference, Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Total cholesterol levels, Triglyceride levels, Mean High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels, Mean Very Low- Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) levels, Mean Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels was taken. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the metabolic syndrome and control groups in terms of BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, and VFT ( all p < 0.0001). Using a VFT cut-off of 6.45 cm, the sensitivity was 71.33%, specificity 84.00%, PPV 81.68%, NPV    74.56%, and accuracy 77. 67%. Correlation analysis showed strong positive correlations between the VFT and BMI (r=0. 882), waist circumference ( r = 0 . 323), HbA1c ( r=0. 893), and triglycerides ( r=0. 774) (p<0. 0001 for all), but no significant correlation with total cholesterol (r=0.082, p=0.158 ).CONCLUSION: The VFT demonstrated good diagnostic performance and significant correlation with key metabolic  parameters,  supporting  its utility as a supplementary tool for predicting metabolic syndrome. These findings underscore the clinical relevance of VFT assessments for assessing metabolic risk.