Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Determined on the Basis of Direct Visceral Fat Area Measurement Using Computed Tomography

Introduction One diagnostic criterion for metabolic syndrome (MS) as a conventional method is the measurement of abdominal circumference size. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of MS precisely based on direct measurement of the visceral fat area (VFA) using computed tomography (CT). Methods The VFAs were assessed by CT in 470 individuals, including 262 men (aged 47.6±10.2: mean±SD) and 208 women (aged 43.9±8.5) during a 3-year period. Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles were also measured. For those who had VFA>or=100cm2, MS was defined as the presence of at least two of the following criteria: a triacylglycerol level>or=150mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levelor=130/85mmHg, and fasting glucose level>or=110mg/dl. Results The mean VFA size was 91.6±43.2 in men and 35.5±29.4 in women respectively. 99 (37.8%) of men and 9 (4.3%) of women demonstrated the VFA of>or=100cm2. As a result, 11.1% (29/262) of men and 1.9% (4/208) of women were diagnosed to have MS, which is lower than previously reported in Japan. Conclusion Our results suggest that prevalence of MS assessed based on the direct measurement of VFA might therefore be lower than previously reported, especially in case of women.