Impact of abdominal fat distribution on sepsis: A comparison with traditional anthropometric indices in the UK Biobank study
Authors' conclusion
VAT is independently associated with sepsis risk and improves its prediction beyond traditional measures like BMI and WC. However, VAT does not enhance the prediction of sepsis-related mortality, with BMI and WC performing better in this context.
Study context
- Population
- UK Biobank participants with available abdominal MRI data
- Participants
- 25,083 participants
- Comparison
- Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) vs traditional anthropometric indices
- Primary endpoint
- Incident sepsis and sepsis-related mortality
- Follow-up
- Median 14.1 years (IQR 13.4-14.9 years)
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Incident sepsis, per SD increase · median follow-up 14.1 years
Incident sepsis cases (0.86 per 1000 person-years)
305
Sepsis-related deaths (0.25 per 1000 person-years)
90
VAT, sepsis risk HR per SD increase (95% CI 1.12-1.47); linear relationship
1.29
ASAT, sepsis risk HR per SD increase (95% CI 1.07-1.40); linear relationship
1.22
Further findings
Prediction vs body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)
- VAT a more important predictor of sepsis risk than BMI or WC; its inclusion improved the model already adjusted for BMI or WC
- ASAT gave no additional predictive value for sepsis risk or sepsis-related mortality vs BMI and WC
Original publication
Impact of abdominal fat distribution on sepsis: A comparison with traditional anthropometric indices in the UK Biobank study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 15 April 2025. doi:10.
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