Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Gigler, D.
Measurement of SAT-topography in patients with coronary heart disease at the begin and the end of rehabilitation
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2017. pp.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Horejsi Renate
- Möller Reinhard
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: Obesity has become a drastic epidemic all over the world. The correlation with several chronic diseases makes it to a serious issue. Especially abdominal obesity seems to play a great role in developing cardiovascular diseases. One major problem to evaluate body fat distribution is the variety of measurement methods and deficits. Various studies state that body fat distribution is the key role in developing chronic diseases and may be an early indicator for identification and risk stratification. Objective: This study is aiming to show the changes in body fat distribution of patients suffering from coronary heart disease in cardiac rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: Participants of cardiac rehabilitation at ZARG (‘Zentrum für ambulante Rehabilitation Graz’) have been measured with the Lipometer® at the beginning and the end of cardiac rehabilitation. A documentation of body fat distribution, total body fat (TBF%) and weight was conducted. The Lipometer® is an optical device with build-in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and allows a quick and non-invasive determination of the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) at any given body site of the human body. A comparison to healthy controls and the changes within four weeks of cardiac rehabilitation were conducted. Results: 63 participants (49 male and 14 female) have been included in the study. The participants were showing significant decreases in thickness of SAT at several body sites. Female participants have declined TBF% by 1,6% from 28,5% to 26,9% (p<0,05). Males presented with a reduction by 1% starting from 20% (p=0). Both men and women, show significant reductions in subcutaneous neck adipose tissue (NAT). Women lost 21,7% (p=0,007) and men 20,9% (p=0) in thickness of SAT at the neck. Conclusion: This study indicates that upper trunk obesity, especially at the body site neck, is a predictor for cardiovascular diseases. A strong correlation of subcutaneous NAT and coronary heart disease was detected. Furthermore, traditional measurement methods of body fat distribution may be not the superior tool to state risk stratification and therapy progress.