Controlled Attenuation Parameter Linked to Metabolic Disorders in Patients with Obesity

Strategic Insights -

A new study conducted by researchers at the Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital has found a significant correlation between controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and metabolic disorders in patients with obesity. The study, published in Endokrynologia Polska, aimed to investigate the relationship between CAP and metabolic disorders in 716 obese patients. The results showed that patients with severe hepatic steatosis exhibited higher levels of blood pressure, fasting C peptide, glycated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), uric acid, and triglyceride, as well as lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The researchers concluded that CAP could serve as a good predictor of metabolic dysfunction, particularly hypertension, decreased HDL, and insulin resistance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant correlation between CAP and metabolic disorders in patients with obesity, with severe hepatic steatosis being associated with higher levels of blood pressure, fasting C peptide, glycated hemoglobin, HOMA-IR, uric acid, and triglyceride, as well as lower levels of HDL.
  • Patients with severe hepatic steatosis exhibited significantly higher levels of blood pressure (81.4% vs. 67.1%), fasting C peptide (55.9% vs. 41.4%), glycated hemoglobin (44.6% vs. 34.8%), HOMA-IR (65.6% vs. 53.4%), uric acid (57.9% vs. 46.3%), and triglyceride (73.1% vs. 61.4%), as well as lower levels of HDL (62.5% vs. 71.2%) compared to those without severe hepatic steatosis.
  • After adjusting for age, sex, and BMI, binary logistic regression analysis revealed that CAP could be a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, decreased HDL, and elevated triglyceride.
  • The researchers suggested that CAP may independently predict metabolic disorders, including hypertension, decreased HDL, and insulin resistance.
  • The study found that CAP was significantly positively associated with blood pressure, fasting C peptide, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, and HDL.

Statistics:

  • 716 obese patients were enrolled in the study.
  • 464 (65.2%) of the participants exhibited severe hepatic steatosis.
  • The prevalence of metabolic disorders was higher in patients with severe hepatic steatosis compared to those without (93.4% vs. 88.2%).
  • The levels of blood pressure (81.4% vs. 67.1%), fasting C peptide (55.9% vs. 41.4%), glycated hemoglobin (44.6% vs. 34.8%), HOMA-IR (65.6% vs. 53.4%), uric acid (57.9% vs. 46.3%), and triglyceride (73.1% vs. 61.4%) were significantly higher in patients with severe hepatic steatosis compared to those without.
  • The levels of HDL (62.5% vs. 71.2%) were significantly lower in patients with severe hepatic steatosis compared to those without.
  • The study found a significant positive association between CAP and blood pressure, fasting C peptide, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, and HDL.

Sources:

  • Chen J, Lei S, Huang A, et al. Controlled attenuation parameter is associated with metabolic disorders in patients with obesity in the Chinese population. Endokrynologia Polska, 2025;76(5):562-568.
  • Via Medica, Ul Swietokrzyska 73, 80-180 Gdansk, Poland.
  • Jiaqi Chen, Dept. of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Medicine School of Tongji University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.