Anthropometric Assessment of Neck Adipose Tissue Volume and its Association with Cardiovascular Risk

Introduction: Anthropometric indices like body mass index (BMI) are known to be associated with the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Similar to waist circumference, the accumulation of adipose tissue in the neck was previously associated with type 2 diabetes and increased risk for mortality. The incremental association between the risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD-r) and neck adipose tissue is unknown.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients who underwent head and neck Computerized Tomography scanning for various etiologies. Neck adiposity tissue volume (NATV) was calculated for all patients and was adjusted to BMI. Baseline characteristics, anthropometric and laboratory indices were collected in order to explore the association between NATV and CVD-r. 10-year CVD risk assessment was performed based on Framingham risk score calculator (defined as low (<10%), intermediate(10-20%)and high risk>20%).

Results: Throughout 2013, a total of 519 patients were included of which 43.7% were females. Mean age was 58± 18.3 years with mean BMI of 26.7±5.1 kg/m². Mean NATV adjusted to BMI was 28.5±9.4mm³/(kg/m²).Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and history of coronary artery disease prevalence were 56.8%, 55.7%, 24.9% and 19.5% respectively.

As depicted in Figure 1, significant incremental association was recorded between NATV and CVD-r (p for trend<0.001). Similarly, significant association was demonstrated between NATV and number of cardiovascular risk factors (Figure 2; p<0.001).

At 1 year follow-up 15 patients (2.9%) died. NATV was significantly higher in patients who died (28.3± 9.4 vs 35.2±2.3; p=0.012).

Conclusions: NATV was found to be associated with both CVD risk factors and Framingham 10-year-risk estimation for CVD. This anthropometric index should be further explored and may be included in future models for cardiovascular risk prediction.