Correlation of abdominal adiposity indicators (VAT and SAT) with Quetelet index and severity grades of hepatic steatosis by ultrasound and utility of these indicators as noninvasive parameters to detect steatotic liver disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is the common metabolic disease of liver with high worldwide prevalence. Nonalcoholic FLD may progress to acute hepatitis, chronic liver disease and even into hepatocellular carcinoma. Noninvasive parameters based on diagnostic imaging should be sought as the only diagnostic test available for this condition is liver biopsy.

The objectives of this study are to correlate abdominal adiposity indicators, specifically visceral adipose tissue (VAT) thickness and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness, with body mass index (BMI) and fatty liver disease (FLD) grades using ultrasound, and to evaluate the diagnostic ability of the parameter "VAT thickness of 3 cm or above" in detecting hepatic steatosis.

Total 100 patients were examined by ultrasound to evaluate VAT, SAT and FLD grades. All patients showing findings of steatotic liver were considered as cases and those showing normal liver findings were considered as controls. Correlation coefficient for VAT, SAT, BMI and FLD grades were calculated and p-value was derived. Sensitivity, Specificity, ROC curve and AUC value for parameter “VAT thickness 3 cm or above” was calculated.

A total of 100 patients were examined including 33 males and 67 females. The mean age of patients was 42.34 ± 12.87 years. Mean VAT thicknesses was 3.69 ± 1.61 cm. The mean SAT thickness was 2.00 ± 0.86 cm. Mean BMI was 25.28 ± 5.13 kg/m² (Overweight). Positive correlation of VAT and SAT measurements seen with BMI and FLD grades.” VAT thickness 3 cm or above”, to detect FLD has a good diagnostic ability with Sensitivity (95%), Specificity (96%), PPV (95%), NPV (96%) and area of curve value 0.8 to detect FLD.

The abdominal fat indicators were positively correlated with BMI and FLD grades. The parameter “VAT thickness 3 cm or above” has a good diagnostic efficacy to detect FLD and may be utilized as an alternative to liver biopsy.