Body composition and rupture risk of intracranial aneurysms

Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm resulting in a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening situation. Obesity is an increasing health challenge associated with numerous comorbidities. However, recent studies have shown a surprising decreased risk of SAH with increasing body mass index (BMI). The aim was to explore associations between other anthropometric variables and the rupture risk of an intracranial aneurysm, which to our knowledge is lacking in present literature.

Using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device, we performed body composition analyses on 31 patients admitted with aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) and 28 patients with planned intervention on their unruptured aneurysm. We also collected information on comorbidities and relevant risk factors. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between anthropometric variables and patients with ruptured versus unruptured aneurysms.

Unadjusted estimates showed a significant inverse relationship between body fat percent and aneurysmal rupture (OR [95% CI]: 0.92 [0.86, 0.97], P = 0.009), and between body fat mass and aneurysmal rupture (OR [95% CI]: 0.95 [0.90, 0.99], P = 0.047). These risk relationships remained significant in age- and sex-adjusted analyses for body fat percent (OR [95% CI]: 0.93, [0.87, 0.97], P = 0.028), and body fat mass (OR [95% CI]: 0.95 [0.90, 0.99], P = 0.041).

In recent studies showing a paradoxical relation between aSAH and obesity, BMI was the only parameter investigated. We further explored this “obesity paradox” and found lower body fat in aSAH patients compared to UIA. Future studies should investigate these relationships in larger samples.

Clinical Trial Registration NCT04613427, November 3, 2020, retrospectively registered