Visceral adiposity index is associated with silent brain infarct in a healthy population

Abstract

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been associated with various cardio-metabolic diseases; however, there is limited information about its association with cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between VAI and silent brain infarct (SBI). We evaluated a consecutive series of healthy volunteers over the age of 40 between January 2006 and December 2013. SBI was defined as an asymptomatic, well-defined lesion with a diameter ≥ 3 mm with the same signal characteristics as the cerebrospinal fluid. VAI was calculated using sex-specific equations as described in previous studies. A total of 2596 subjects were evaluated, and SBI was found in 218 (8%) participants. In multivariable analysis, VAI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.66; P = 0.030) remained a significant predictor of SBI after adjustment for confounders. The close relationship between VAI and SBI was prominent only in females (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.00–2.07; P = 0.048). In the evaluation between VAI and the burden of SBI, VAI showed a positive dose–response relationship with the number of SBI lesions (P for trend = 0.037). High VAI was associated with a higher prevalence and burden of SBI in a neurologically healthy population.