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

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/m²). 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.