Visceral fat: A key factor in diverticular disease of the colon

• Author(s): Afonso,Miguel ; Pinto,Joana ; Veloso,Ricardo ; Freitas,Teresa ; Carvalho,João ; Fraga,José
• Date: 2012
• Origin: SciELO Portugal
• Subject(s): Obesity; Visceral fat; Abdominal ultrasonography; Diverticular disease
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: English

Description

Background and aim: Diverticular disease of the colon is a common disease, representing na important health problem in Western countries. The authors aimed to study the visceral fat and parameters of obesity in the diverticular disease of the colon. Methods: Case-control study of unselected medium-risk subjects who underwent colonoscopy for screening of colorectal cancer during 1 year. Subjects were inquired by a nutritionist about nutritional habits. Anthropometric variables were evaluated. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were assessed by ultrasound by the same gastroenterologist. Statistics: x², t test, logistic multivariate regression, odds ratio (OR). Results: Included 303 individuals, 46.9% female, mean age 60±6.6 years. Sixty-four (21%) individual had diverticular disease of the colon. People with diverticula were signifi cantly older (P=0.01), had more visceral fat (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P=0.01) and total fat consumption (P=0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed age and visceral fat as independent risk factors for diverticular disease of the colon. The probability of occurrence of disease was 3-times higher in individuals in the 3rd tertile of age (older than 63 years old) than those younger than 56 years old (1st tertile of age) - OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.5. For visceral fat, those individuals in the 3rd tertile had a two-fold risk of having diverticular disease of the colon (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.02-5.2) than those in 1st tertile. There was no significant difference for sex, body mass index, subcutaneous fat or fiber intake. Conclusion: Older age and higher visceral fat were independent risk factors for the occurrence of diverticular disease of the colon