Higher visceral adiposity index is associated with increased likelihood of abdominal aortic calcification.

Background: The negative effects of visceral adiposity accumulation on cardiovascular health have drawn much attention. However, the association between the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC) has never been reported before. The authors aimed to investigate the association between the VAI and AAC in US adults.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were derived from the 2013 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of participants with complete data of VAI and AAC scores. Weighted multivariable regression and logistic regression analysis were conducted to explore the independent relationship between VAI and AAC. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were also performed.

Results: A total of 2958 participants were enrolled and participants in the higher VAI tertile tended to have a higher mean AAC score and prevalence of severe AAC. In the fully adjusted model, a positive association between VAI and AAC score and severe AAC was observed (β = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01‒0.08; OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01‒1.07). Participants in the highest VAI tertile had a 0.41-unit higher AAC score (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.08‒0.73) and a significantly 68% higher risk of severe AAC than those in the lowest VAI tertile (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.04‒2.71). Subgroup analysis and interaction tests indicated that there was no dependence for the association of VAI and AAC.

Conclusion: Visceral adiposity accumulation evaluated by the VAI was associated with a higher AAC score and an increased likelihood of severe AAC.