Correlation of abdominal fat area and distribution with carotid atherosclerosis progress in middle aged and elderly people

Objective To analyze the relationship between the abdominal fat and the progress of carotid atherosclerosis in the subject ageing 51-100 years. Methods 140 subjects receiving health examination in the department of health of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2015 to 2016 were included in the research. The abdominal fat area and distribution were calculated according to abdominal CT, and the progress of atherosclerosis in carotid artery was determined by ultrasound. Results In the population of 51-100 years old, there were no statistically significant difference in abdominal fat area and distribution among carotid artery plaque thickening group, arteriosclerosis non-progressing group and plaque reducing group; In the population of 51-80 years old, the total abdominal fat was significantly higher in carotid artery plaque thickening group than in arteriosclerosis non-progressing group and plaque reducing group (P=0.05, P=0.03), abdominal visceral fat area also increased, but no significant difference was found (P>0.05), and no significant differences in abdominal fat distribution was found (P>0.05. Conclusion The less total area of abdominal fat is, the slower the progress of atherosclerosis in carotid artery is in the population of 51-80 years old. Key words: Carotid atherosclerosis; Visceral fat; Subcutaneous fat; Obesity