Visceral Adiposity Index Levels in Patients with Hypothyroidism

PubMed ID: 30129492Objective: To assess visceral adiposity index (VAI) as a sign of cardio-vascular diseases (CVD) in hypothyroidism patients and to compare CVD risks in overt or subclinical hypothyroidism patients. Materials and methods: Sixty-eight hypothyroidism patients (29 with overt and 39 with subclinical hypothyroidism) and 33 age- and gender-matched control patients were included. VAI levels were calculated with the following formula: (waist circumference (WC)/[36.58+(1.89xbody mass index (BMI))])x[(triglyceride (TG) (mmol/L)/0.81)x(1.52xhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) (mmol/L))] and (WC/[39.68+(1.88xBMI)])x[(TG (mmol/L)/1.03)x(1.31xHDL-cholesterol (mmol/L))], respectively. Results: While body weight (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.01), TG and VAI levels (p < 0.01) were higher in hypothyroidism patients than controls, HDL-cholesterol levels were lower (p = 0.02). When patients were divided to groups as subclinical (n = 39) and overt hypothyroidism (n = 29) and compared with each other and controls (n = 33), body weight (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively), BMI (p = 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) and TG (p < 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively) were higher in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism groups than controls. HDL-cholesterol was lower only in the group with overt hypothyroidism than controls (p = 0.01). Although found similar to each other in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism groups, VAI levels were observed to be higher in both groups than controls (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). In correlation analysis, a positive correlation was determined between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), BMI and VAI levels (p = 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Due to the association between increased VAI levels, and metabolic syndrome and CVDs, we consider that several measures should be promptly taken to decrease these risk factors, and further studies with a larger sample size should be performed. © 2018 National Medical Associatio

The effects of smoking cessation on visceral adiposity index levels

Background: Known to cause important metabolic disturbances, weight gain becomes a major health problem after smoking cessation. Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is becoming increasingly popular in the detection of cardiometabolic risks in several disorders and general population. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of quitting smoking on VAI levels.Materials and Methods: Of 350 participants included into the cigarette cessation program, 70 (20%) completed the study and were enrolled into the analyses. VAI levels were calculated at the baseline and 3rd month after cigarette cessation.Results: Thirty‑eight (54.3%) out of 70 participants were male. While the mean age was found as 42 ± 1.0 years, mean starting age of smoking was found to be 16.87 ± 0.45 years, and mean smoking time was 23.07 ± 1.18 years. While VAI levels were found higher in men at the baseline, VAI levels were found similar in both genders at the end of the study. Higher VAI levels were found in those smoking &gt;20 cigarettes/day, compared to those smoking ≤20 cigarettes/day. Although weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased, VAI levels were found to decrease significantly at the 3rd month. In subgroup analyses, VAI levels were seen to decrease significantly only in men (P = 0.005). Furthermore, VAI levels were found to decrease (P &lt; 0.001) in those with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, whereas no significant change was observed in those with BMI &lt;25 kg/m2.Conclusions: Although body weight increases significantly after quitting smoking, VAI levels, an indicator of cardiovascular risks, decrease significantly, especially in men or obese patients.Keywords: Obesity, quitting smoking, smoking cessation, visceral adiposity index, weight gai

The effects of smoking cessation on visceral adiposity index levels

PubMed ID: 29888722Background: Known to cause important metabolic disturbances, weight gain becomes a major health problem after smoking cessation. Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is becoming increasingly popular in the detection of cardiometabolic risks in several disorders and general population. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of quitting smoking on VAI levels. Materials and Methods: Of 350 participants included into the cigarette cessation program, 70 (20%) completed the study and were enrolled into the analyses. VAI levels were calculated at the baseline and 3rd month after cigarette cessation. Results: Thirty-eight (54.3%) out of 70 participants were male. While the mean age was found as 42 ± 1.0 years, mean starting age of smoking was found to be 16.87 ± 0.45 years, and mean smoking time was 23.07 ± 1.18 years. While VAI levels were found higher in men at the baseline, VAI levels were found similar in both genders at the end of the study. Higher VAI levels were found in those smoking &gt;20 cigarettes/day, compared to those smoking ?20 cigarettes/day. Although weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased, VAI levels were found to decrease significantly at the 3rd month. In subgroup analyses, VAI levels were seen to decrease significantly only in men (P = 0.005). Furthermore, VAI levels were found to decrease (P &lt; 0.001) in those with BMI ?25 kg/m2, whereas no significant change was observed in those with BMI &lt;25 kg/m2. Conclusions: Although body weight increases significantly after quitting smoking, VAI levels, an indicator of cardiovascular risks, decrease significantly, especially in men or obese patients. © 2018 Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Corrigendum to “Visceral Adiposity Index Levels in Patients with Hypothyroidism”

The purpose of this document is to update and correct the VAI formulae for men and women given in the study entitled “visceral adiposity index levels in patients with hypothyroidism”. In “Materials and methods” section of “Abstract, lines 3–7 on page 606, the mathematical symbols in the formula of VAI were mistakenly written as multiplication in the text as 1.52xHDL-c and 1.31xHDL-c as follows: “We calculated VAI levels by formula, (WC/[36.58+(1.89xBMI)])x[(TG (mmol/L)/0.81)x(1.52xHDL-cholesterol (mmol/L))]and (WC/[39.68+(1.88xBMI)])x[(TG (mmol/L)/1.03)x(1.31xHDL-cholesterol (mmol/L))], respectively20.” However, the mathematical symbols should be as division, but not multiplication as 1.52/HDL-c and 1.31/HDL-c. So, the sentence including the error related to the formula of VAI should be corrected as follows: Correction: “We calculated VAI levels for women and men by formula, (WC/[36.58+(1.89xBMI)])x[(TG (mmol/L)/0.81)x(1.52/HDL-cholesterol (mmol/L))]and (WC/[39.68+(1.88xBMI)])x[(TG (mmol/L)/1.03)x(1.31/HDL-cholesterol (mmol/L))], respectively20.” In the same way, the formula of VAI on page 607, in “MATERIALS AND METHODS” section, the last paragraph on the right column just before “Statistical Analysis” section should be as follows: Correction: “We calculated VAI levels for women and men by formula, (WC/ [36.58+(1.89xBMI)])x [(TG (mmol/L)/0.81)x(1.52/HDL-cholesterol (mmol/L))]and (WC/ [39.68+(1.88xBMI)])x [(TG (mmol/L)/1.03)x(1.31/HDL-cholesterol (mmol/L))], respectively20.” Conclusion This document provides an updated and corrected version of VAI formulae in our paper, “visceral adiposity index levels in patients with hypothyroidism”. The update is a result of two changes in “Abstract” and “Materials and Methods” sections. Subsequent to the publication of the paper, it became possible to correct the formulae of VAI we used for scientific accuracy in our analysis. We consider that the corrections will prevent the future use of errata. © 2019 National Medical Associatio

The role of visceral adiposity index levels in predicting the presence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in overweight and obese patients

PubMed ID: 30932744Background: To investigate visceral adiposity index (VAI) levels in obese patients with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its relationship with insulin resistance (IR), and define cutoff value of VAI in the determination of patients with MetS and IR. Methods: Aged between 18 and 65, 92 patients with obesity were included. Levels of homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and VAI were calculated. Results: Of 92 patients, HOMA-IR and VAI levels (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) were found to be higher in 41 (44.6%) with MetS. The cutoff value of VAI in predicting MetS was found to be 2.205. The frequency of MetS was seen as 22.2% when VAI was below this value, but if over, was found to be 66%. There was a positive correlation between VAI and HOMA-IR levels. In 36 cases (39.1%) with HOMA-IR (?2.5), VAI was detected to be higher than those without IR, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were lower. The cutoff value of VAI in predicting IR was found to be 2.31. While the prevalence of IR was 23.4% in those with VAI of 2.31, IR frequency in patients with equal to or greater than 2.31 was determined as 55%. Conclusion: We found that MetS was present in almost half of overweight and obese individuals, and the cutoff values of VAI in predicting the presence of MetS and IR were 2.205 and 2.31, respectively. Our study was carried out in overweight and obese Turkish individuals, and we consider that further studies including normal weight individuals and larger population are required. © Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2019

The effects of short-term smoking cessation on metabolic syndrome parameters

Objective: Smoking cigarettes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are among preventable health problems. On the other hand, smoking cessation may also lead to gaining weight and MetS. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of short-term smoking cessation on MetS parameters. Materials and methods:The study was performed in 150 subjects willing to cease cigarette smoking. Varenicline or bupropion was started to the subjects ceasing smoking as a supportive treatment, and current diet exercises were continued. MetS incidence was evaluated before and at week 12 with the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III). Results: Of 150 subjects, 74 continued smoking cessation at week 12. Compared to the baseline values, it was seen that body weight (p<0.001), waist circumference (WC) (p<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (p<0.001) levels increased at the 12th week. However, blood pressure (BP), blood glucose and triglyceride (TG) levels remained unchanged. Presence of MetS was found 8.1% at the baseline and 17.6% at the end of the study (p=0.118). Of all subjects, while present in 43.2% at initial, WC criteria for MetS, then, increased to 54.1% at week 12 (p=0.039). Although present in 68.9% of subjects at the baseline, HDL-cholesterol criteria decreased to 50.0% at week 12 (p=0.001). Conclusions: Although an increase was observed in WC, body weight and BMI, we observed no changes in MetS frequency within 12-week period. Administration of appropriate calorie-restricting diet and exercise may prevent weight gain and MetS to develop after smoking cessation. © 2018 A. CARBONE Editore. All rights reserved