VISCERAL FAT IS INCREASED IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CROHN’S DISEASE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH HEALTHY CONTROLS

Portadores de doença de Crohn apresentam maior acúmulo de gordura visceral: análise comparativa com controles saudáveis

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

It is known that obesity is associated with a chronic inflammatory state, but few studies have evaluated visceral fat (VF) content and its role in individuals with Crohn’s disease (CD).

OBJETIVE:

To compare the nutritional status, body composition and proportion of VF between CD individuals and healthy volunteers.

METHODS:

Cross-sectional study that enrolled individuals with Crohn’s disease and healthy controls. The stratification according to nutritional status was carried out by means of BMI. The percentage of body fat percentage (%BF) and VF were estimated by means of DEXA. VF proportion was evaluated by means of the VF/BMI and VF/%BF ratios.

RESULTS:

A total of 78 individuals were included. The control group was comprised of 28 healthy subjects aged 35.39±10 years old (60.7% women); mean BMI=23.94±3.34 kg/m²; mean VF=511.82±448.68 g; mean CRP=0.81±1.78 ng/mL. The CD group was comprised of 50 patients; 11 (22%) were underweight (BMI=18.20±1.97 kg/ m²; %BF=24.46±10.01; VF=217.18±218.95 g; CRP=4.12±4.84 ng/mL); 18 (36%) presented normal weight (BMI=22.43±1.48 kg/m²; %BF=30.92±6.63; VF=542.00±425.47 g and CRP=4.40±1.78 ng/mL); 21 (42%) were overweight or obese (BMI=29.48±3.78 kg/m²; %BF=39.91±7.33; VF=1525.23±672.7 g and CRP=1.33±2.06 ng/mL). The VF/BMI ratio was higher in the CD group when compared to controls (32.41±24.63 vs 20.01±16.23 g per BMI point; P=0.02). Likewise, the VF/%BF was also higher in the CD group (35.21±23.33 vs 15.60±12.55 g per percentage point; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Among individuals with Crohn’s disease, BMI presents a direct correlation with visceral fat content. These results indicate the presence of an adiposopathy in Crohn’s disease subjects, which is evidenced by a higher visceral fat.

HEADINGS:
Crohn’s disease; Intra-abdominal fat; Body composition; Body mass index