Association between abdominal wall fat index (AFI) on ultrasonography with carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and lipid profile

Abstract

Increase in prevalence of obesity has become a worldwide major health problem. Obesity is well known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Visceral obesity may be a sensitive predictor for subclinical atherosclerosis. Aim We aim to explore the relationship between abdominal wall fat index (AFI) as an indicator for visceral obesity and incidence of carotid atherosclerosis. Patients and Methods We conducted a cross sectional study on 60 patients divided into three groups; represented group I (AFI ˂0.7), group II (AFI ˂1.4), and group III (AFI ≥1.4). Patients were recruited from Abassia fever hospital and study was conducted at radiology department. We included individuals with no restriction to age or gender of the participants and excluded individuals with a history of upper abdominal surgery to avoid possible bias on abdominal fat.