U-shaped relationship between subcutaneous adipose tissue index and mortality in liver cirrhosis

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues are important body components, but their effects on the mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis remain controversial based on the current evidence. Methods We retrospectively identified 372 eligible patients in whom subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI) and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) could be measured by computed tomography images at the third lumbar vertebra. The association of SATI and VATI with the risk of death was evaluated on a continuous scale with restricted cubic spline curves based on Cox proportional hazards models. Cumulative probability of mortality was estimated by Nelson-Aalen cumulative risk curve analyses. Independent predictors of death were evaluated by competing risk analyses after adjusting for age, sex, and model for end-stage liver disease score. Results Majority of patients were male (69.4%) with a mean age of 55.40 ± 10.68 years. SATI had a U-shaped association with mortality (P for non-linearity 2 /m 2 at the points where hazard ratios were just 2 /m 2 ), moderate (19.7-51.8 cm 2 /m 2 ), and high (>51.8 cm 2 /m 2 ) level. There was no significant difference in the cumulative probability of mortality between low versus moderate SATI groups (Gray's test, P = 0.052) and high versus moderate SATI groups (Gray's test, P = 0.054). Competing risk analyses demonstrated that low SATI could inc

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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