Visceral adiposity index: an indicator of adipose tissue dysfunction

Abstract

The Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) has recently proven to be an indicator of adipose distribution and function that indirectly expresses cardiometabolic risk. In addition, VAI has been proposed as a useful tool for early detection of a condition of cardiometabolic risk before it develops into an overt metabolic syndrome. The application of the VAI in particular populations of patients (women with polycystic ovary syndrome, patients with acromegaly, patients with NAFLD/NASH, patients with HCV hepatitis, patients with type 2 diabetes, and general population) has produced interesting results, which have led to the hypothesis that the VAI could be considered a marker of adipose tissue dysfunction. Unfortunately, in some cases, on the same patient population, there is conflicting evidence. We think that this could be mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the application limits of the index, on the part of various authors, and to having applied the VAI in non-Caucasian populations. Future prospective studies could certainly better define the possible usefulness of the VAI as a predictor of cardiometabolic risk.

Figure 1

Linear relationship observed between BMI and WC in 315 primary care patients, with BMI between 20 and 30 Kg/m² and age 43.46 ± 14.30 years (range 19–83), selected because of absence of diabetes mellitus or FPG ≥ 5.6 mmol/L, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A model of adipose distribution (MOAD) was created based on this gender-specific linear equation. Taken from Amato et al. [8].